John F. Murphy, 70 years of Brockton, West Yarmouth and Nantucket died Friday February 13, 2009 at Brigham & Women’s Hospital following complications from surgery. Lifelong resident of Brockton, he was the son of the late Ambrose and Rose (Welch) Murphy. John was a graduate of St. Patrick School, Coyle High School, 1956, College of the Holy Cross, 1960 and Boston University School of Law.
John began his political career working for the former mayor of Brockton Gerald C. Lucey. At the age of 27, he was the youngest member and committeeman of the Massachusetts Electoral College in the Plymouth County Democratic State Committee. In 1962 he worked in the Office of the Secretary of State Kevin H. White and continued with Mayor White until 1971. From 1971 until his retirement in 2001, John was the Director of Occupancy for Boston Housing Authority.
He was member of the City of Brockton Planning Board from 1963 until present, and has served as Board chairman for the past 39 years. He was an active member of the Wimbledon Shores Beach Association in West Yarmouth serving as president for many years; served on the board of directors for Home, Health and Childcare in Brockton; a member of the Civil Air Patrol and an active communicant of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Brockton and St. Francis Xavier Church in Hyannis.
The most important aspects in John’s life were his faith and family. For 25 years he shared his love of God with many as a CCD teacher and enriched his own family by being a wonderful Dad and Grandfather sharing summers in W. Yarmouth, and Nantucket and spending as much time on the beach and traveling as possible.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Caroline E. (Corcoran) Murphy; his “four good kids”, Maj. .John F. and Therese Murphy, Jr. (ret), of Olympia, WA; Julie G. and Daniel Murray of Apple Valley, MN; James and Michelle Murphy of Sandwich and Jeanne F. and Joseph Marchisio of Bridgewater. Proud Grampy of eight grandchildren, Fiona Murphy, Meaghan, Deirdre, Kiera and Clare Murray, Scout Murphy, Emily and Annie Marchisio. Brother in law to Margaret and Arthur Boutiette and Susan and David Peterson. He also leaves three nephews and a niece.
Funeral from the Conley Funeral Home, 138 Belmont Street (Rte123) Brockton Tuesday at 9am. Funeral Mass in Our Lady of Lourdes Church at 10am. Burial in Calvary Cemetery. Visiting hours Monday 4-8pm. Memorial donations may be made in memory of John to My Brother’s Keeper, P.O. Box 338, Easton, MA 02356.