Korean War veteran was a Melrose alderman
STONEHAM — John F. “Red” Murphy Jr., 82, of Stoneham passed away at the Arnold House in Stoneham on Dec. 2.
Red was born in Melrose on May 7, 1932 to the late John and Ida Murphy, he was raised in Melrose and graduated from Melrose High School in 1950. Mr. Murphy served his country with pride in the U.S. Army with the 82nd Airborne during the Korean War. John lived in Melrose most of his life before moving to Stoneham 15 years ago.
Mr. Murphy worked for the New England Telephone Company for 31 years in the install/repair department and then as a manager, retiring in 1987. He was also a member of the New England Telephone Pioneers. Red dedicated himself to the City of Melrose for many years; as an slderman for 13 years, was instrumental in raising money to create the Korean War Memorial in front of the Coolidge Apartments, raising money for the Lincoln School playground and starting a group to clean up the Ell Pond area of Melrose.
He was also a volunteer at Lincoln School, coached baseball and basketball, coached girls’ softball and helped start the CYO Boxing Program in Melrose.
Red loved spending time with his family during the summer at Goose Rocks Beach in Kennebunkport, Maine. He was a great swimmer and always loved going to Suffolk Downs where he met many friends.
Red was the beloved husband of 59 years to Margaret (Travalini) Murphy. He was the loving father of Susan McBrine and her husband Richard of Melrose, Dominic Murphy and his wife Michelle of Swansea, Jeannette Murphy of Stoneham, Joseph Murphy and his wife Judy of Melrose and Martha Luther and her husband Randall of Durham, Conn. He was the proud grandfather of Richard “Mack” McBrine, Margaret “Maggie” Cefalo and her husband Nicholas, Elizabeth Macdonald and her husband Nick, Kelly, Jill and Joseph Murphy, Andrea, Jeremy and Andrew Murphy and EJ and Alison Luther. He was the brother of the late Edward J. Murphy. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.
The funeral was from the Gately Funeral Home, 79 West Foster St., Melrose on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 8:45 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in The Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main St., Wakefield at 10 a.m.
Burial at Wyoming Cemetery in Melrose.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Stoneham Food Pantry, 1 Church St., Stoneham MA 02180. To send a message of condolence please visit www.gatelyfh.com.
