Haverhill, MA – Joseph Gerald Murphy, 90, of Haverhill died peacefully on August 2nd, 2015 surrounded by his loving children following a long and fruitful life. His children have little doubt that he is now making an extensive list to let the heavenly host know that they are not well organized. A lifelong resident of Haverhill, MA Joe never strayed far from his birthplace in the Acre.Joe was the son of the late Richard and Ann (Nolan) Murphy. He attended the St. James Grammar and High Schools, graduated with the Class of 1942. After high school graduation he entered the Navy for the duration of World War II.After the war, he worked part-time as an auxiliary officer with the Haverhill Police Department. Joe began his career at Western Electric as a stock clerk and then worked in the production control group. He moved up to supervisor and later became the youngest department chief. He retired in 1983 with 35 years of service. He was a graduate Merrimack College in North Andover where he received his Business Degree.He was involved in many local civic and church organizations. He was a founding member of St. John the Baptist parish. He was a Boy Scout leader of Troop 16, and received the St. George’s Medal presented by Richard Cardinal Cushing in Boston. He was a member of the St. James Holy Name Society and a Eucharistic minister. Joe was the youngest Exalted Ruler at the Elks Haverhill Lodge where he was an active member for seventy years. He was proud to be a volunteer at the Merrimack Valley Hospital for over 25 years.A devoted, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, Mr. Murphy was the Widower of Margaret H. “Peg” (Clohecy) who died in 2005 after fifty-eight years of marriage. He is survived by his children Barry T. and his wife Pamela of Bradford, MA, Brian D. of Newton, NH, Elinor T. of Newton, NH, Richard F. and his fiancée Kimberly McHenry of Derry, NH, Daniel T. and his wife Christine of Lee, NH, Mary M. Reval and her husband Craig, of Panama City Beach, FL and his daughter-in-law Ella of Nassau, NY, his siblings Leo and his wife Jacqueline of Haverhill, MA, James and his wife Cora Mae of Newburyport, MA, Marilyn Hefferan of Atkinson, NH, twenty-one grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.He was predeceased by his oldest son Gerald J., granddaughter, Marilyn, daughter-in-law Kathleen, sister Marguerite, and brothers, Edward, Richard and William, sisters in law, Katherine, Pauline, Virginia, and brother in law, Robert Hefferan.His family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Wingate at Haverhill and Brookhaven Hospice for their care and comfort for our dad.Relatives and friends are invited to attend Mr. Murphy’s celebration of life on Wednesday from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St. Haverhill. His funeral will begin on Thursday at 8:45 a.m. from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. James Church, Winter St. Haverhill. Burial will follow in Saint James Cemetery, Primrose St. Haverhill. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Santa’s Helpers St. James Parish 6 Cottage St. Haverhill, MA 01831. Please visit Comeau Funeral Home on Facebook, or www.comeaufuneral.com.
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