Murphy, J. William, age 87 of Haverhill, died Friday morning, July 11, 2008 at the Penacook Place, Haverhill.
Mr. Murphy was born in Merrimac, MA, on November 16, 1920, the son of the late William A. and Mary E. (Callahan) Murphy. He had been a resident of Haverhill most of his life, previously residing in Hampstead, NH and the Bradford section of Haverhill. He was educated in Haverhill schools, and was a 1939 graduate of Haverhill High School. He attended Bentley College, Boston, and was graduated from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, Boston.
Mr. Murphy began working as a Pharmacist for the Roche Pharmacy, Haverhill. He then worked several years as a sales representative for the Lawrence Wholesale Drug Co., Lawrence, also Calnan Pharmacy of Merrimac, and as a medical representative in St. Louis, MO for a period of time with the Burroughs Welcome Pharmaceutical Co. Upon returning to Haverhill, he managed the Sterling Drug Co., Haverhill, and retired from working at Richey Drug Co., Haverhill in 1982. He was married for over sixty-six years this past January 25, to Jane L. (Donahue) Murphy of Haverhill.
After retirement, he and his wife retired to Deerfield Beach, FL and Hampton Beach, NH for many years. He was a member of the Pompano Beach Lodge of Elks, Pompano, FL and a member and Past President of the Haverhill Pharmaceutical Association. He enjoyed fishing, traveling throughout the Caribbean, and driving cross country and throughout Canada. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Jane L. (Donahue) Murphy of Haverhill, his sons, William E. Murphy and his wife Carol A. of No. Andover and Robert D. Murphy and his wife Christine L. of Groton Long Point, CT; grandchildren, Erin L. Murphy of Washington, DC, Dillon R. Murphy and his wife Karen of Derry, NH, and Lindsey K. Gagnon and her husband Patrick of Raymond, NH; and great-grandchildren, Amanda Murphy and Brady Murphy.
Calling hours will be held Saturday morning, July 19, in the C. Frank Linnehan and Son Haverhill Funeral Home, 129 Kenoza Avenue, Haverhill beginning at 11:00 a.m. Funeral Services will follow in the funeral home at 12:00 p.m. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mr. Murphy's name may be made to Penacook Place, Resident Activities Fund, 150 Water Street, Haverhill, MA 01830 or to Beacon Hospice, 350 Main Street, Haverhill, MA 01830.