Edward Russell Murphy, 83, of East Bridgewater, died on January 28 at the Tremont Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center in Wareham, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Born in Brockton, in 1933, he was the son of Vesta A. (Strout) Murphy Mizaris, and Edward R. Murphy. He graduated from Stoughton High School in 1952.
After graduation he joined the army, serving in the Military Police. He was the owner of the Joppa Service Station, of East Bridgewater, and later worked at the East Bridgewater Central School. He was a past member of the Lion’s Club, the Music Parents, and very active in his church, the Central Square Congregational Church of Bridgewater. He was also a longtime member of the City Mission Society of Boston, and a lay prison chaplain, ministering to the patients at the Bridgewater State Hospital for over 25 years; he received an accommodation from Governor Patrick for his years of dedicated and selfless service.
He enjoyed singing, and was a member of his church choir, as well as the Mayflower Choral; was an avid painter, gardener, woodworker, and enjoyed traveling, especially to the coast of Maine. He especially enjoyed being with his family, particularly his grandsons.
He was the husband of the late Elizabeth M. (Brown) Murphy for 56 years, until her death in 2013. He was the beloved father of Elizabeth A. (Murphy) Souza and her husband, Paul, of Wareham; and Kimberly J. Murphy of East Bridgewater. He was also the grandfather of Christopher P. Souza, and his wife, Samantha; Jeffrey E. Souza, and Eric J. Souza, all of Wareham. He was predeceased by his brother, Charles P. Murphy and his wife, Ulla E. Murphy; and by his brother-in-law, Frederick W. Brown II of East Bridgewater. He leaves behind his sister, Cordelia M. (Murphy) Eonas and her husband, Anthony of Brockton; his sister-in-law Thelma A. (Brown) Hamel and her husband, James, of Bridgewater; sister-in-law Sandra A. Brown of East Bridgewater; and brother-in-law Gerald E. Brown, and his wife Sue, also of East Bridgewater. He was the uncle and great-uncle of many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, February 1, at the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth Street (Rte. 58 at the rotary circle) Whitman from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral at 10 a.m. Thursday, February 2 at the Central Square Congregational Church in Bridgewater. Burial will be at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne at 1:00PM
In lieu of flowers, we invite people to offer a donation to the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.