TEWKSBURY: Andrew J. Murphy, age 79, a resident of Tewksbury for the past 12 years, passed away on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at the Massachusetts General Hospital.
He was the beloved husband of Jane C. (DeBonis) Murphy, with whom he celebrated 45 years of marriage together.
Born in Chelsea, he was the son of the late Andrew P. and Anna T. (Callahan) Murphy.
Andy was raised in Chelsea, attended St. Rose Parochial School and graduated from Boston College High School in 1948.
Following graduation, he attended Saint Anselm College in Manchester, NH.
In 1952, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during the Korean Conflict with Company D ASAR. Mr. Murphy was awarded several decorations for his military service including the United Nations Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.
Prior to his retirement in 1994, he served as President of Zeus New England (now Arrow/Zeus)of Wilmington,for 23 years.
Mr. Murphy resided in Chelsea , Belmont and Gloucester until moving to Tewksbury in 1998.
Andy possessed a strong passion for politics and while living in Chelsea, he served as a member and past President of the Chelsea Board of Alderman.
Mr. Murphy enjoyed many activities especially reading along with- entertaining his colleagues, friends and family playing the organ and piano. In addition, he was an avid golfer and was a former member of the Bass Rocks Golf Club of Gloucester and the Tides Golf Club in Florida.
Andy's greatest enjoyment came from the time he spent with his family and doting on his nine beloved grandchildren.
In addition to his wife Jane, he is survived by three sons, Andrew P. Murphy and his wife Kim of Reading, Michael B. Murphy and his wife Karen of Windham, NH and Matthew K. Murphy and his wife Tammy of Tewksbury; one brother, Kevin G. Murphy and his wife Virginia of Chelsea; four sisters, Patricia Doherty, Barbara Parow and her husband George all of Florida, Kathleen Paris of Dedham, and Eileen Mullaney of Greenland, NH; beloved "Papa "of nine grandchildren; also many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Murphy was the brother of the late Sheila Zecha, Edward and Brendan Murphy.
Calling hours Monday, Feb. 1, from 3-8 p.m., at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. Funeral Tuesday, Feb. 2, at 9 a.m., from the funeral home, followed by his Funeral Mass at 10 a.m., at St. Williams Church, 1351 Main Str., Rte. 38, Tewksbury. Interment at St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.