Salem…



John Joseph "Jack" "Babes" Murphy, age 77, husband of the late Catherine Kathleen (Joyce) Murphy with whom he shared 50 years of marriage, died Thursday evening October 14, 2010 at the Jewish Rehabilitation Center in Swampscott.



Born in Salem.the son of the Late Francis and Elizabeth (O'Donnell) Murphy, Mr. Murphy was a graduate of Salem High School in the Class of 1951. Following High School, Mr. Murphy entered the U. S. Navy and served his country during the Korean War. He was Honorably discharged in 1954. Upon returning from the Navy, Mr. Murphy was employed with Sylvania, where he met his late wife. He also continued his education and graduated from the Wentworth Institute of Technology. In 1964, he was appointed to the Salem Fire Department as a fire fighter until becoming a Salem Fire Department Fire Inspector until his retirement. Following his retirement, he graduated from N.S.C.C. with his Associate Degree in Behavioral Science. Mr. Murphy was a Past Commander of the American Legion Post in Salem. He had a contagious sense of humor and always had a smile. Mr. Murphy was very proud of his family and his grand children. He enjoyed dancing and being among his friends. He was an avid reader and writer and later in life he enjoyed horseback riding.



Surviving him are five children, Catherine Emerling and her husband Kim of Salem, Maureen Morgan and her husband Dennis of Marblehead, Colleen Murphy Millea and her fiancée Jim Reybicki of Salem, Sean Murphy of Salem and Sara Mullins and her husband Richard of Salem; brother Francis "Buddy" Murphy and his wife Isabelle of Danvers , brother in law William "Bill" Joyce and his wife Diana of NH, a sister in law Susan Murphy of Salem, 6 grandchildren Amanda, Amy, James, Jack, Will and Katelyn , one great grandchild Ava and many nieces and nephews and great Friends.



He was predeceased by a brother Edward "Muscle" Murphy, Donald Murphy, and Claire Carbone.



Mr. Murphy's funeral will be held Tuesday at 9:15 am from the Murphy Funeral Home 85 Federal St.., (Cor. of North St.), Salem to be followed by a funeral mass at Immaculate Conception Church , Hawthorne Blvd,, Salem, MA. Relatives and friends are are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be Monday from 4-8 pm at the funeral home. Internment will be at Greenlawn Cemetery, Salem. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Alzheimers Foundation of America, 322 8th Ave., 7th Fl., N.Y., N.Y. 10001. For more information call 978-744-0497 or visit www.murphyfuneralhome.com.