McGurn, Joseph Edward "Joe" of Medford, MA, passed away at 72 years old; Saturday, March 26,2022 at Leahy Healthcare, Burlington, MA, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Joe was a lifelong resident of Medford, born April 9, 1949, son of the late Edward J. McGurn and Teresa (Cirillo) McGurn, Half-brother to the late John McGurn and the late Edward McGurn. Joe is survived by his beloved nieces Jackie Doerrer-Mullen and her husband James Mullen, and Diane O'Calahan, and cherished nephews James McGurn and John McGurn, as well as great-nephews Stan Doerrer and Ryan O'Calahan, and countless friends and colleagues.

A 1967 graduate of Medford High School, Joe received his B.S. in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts at Boston in 1971, and his M.A. in English (Creative Writing) from Salem State in 2017.

Joe owned and operated Arklein Insurance and Lois Lane Insurance Agencies in Peabody, MA. As a Certified Life Underwriter, he also operated New England Underwriters.

Joe was a member of Toastmasters International and the Salem Writers Group. He published a blog "The Hiker Dude", relating his adventures in hiking around New England and highlighting his experiences with photos and descriptions that brought his readers into the wild with him. In addition to hiking and writing, Joe was an avid photographer, long-time jogger and naturalist. In recent years he began studying the guitar. Joe was always in the process of learning, devouring and digesting all the knowledge possible. Warmest thanks to the members of his Toastmasters and writer's groups for their attention and kindness during Joe's last days.

Joe McGurn could be summed up in a quote from Arnold H. Glasgow, "There is nothing I wouldn't do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves; it is not my nature". It was, indeed, an honor to have been his friend for over a half-century. In three words, he was simply the nicest guy ever.

Visiting Hours will be held on Tuesday, April 5 ^th from 4 PM to 8 PM at the Murphy Funeral Home, located at 85 Federal Street, Salem. A funeral mass for Joe will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 6 ^th at 10 AM at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, located at 1 Margin Street, in Peabody. Burial will immediately follow the Mass, and will take place at Saint Mary's Cemetery, in Salem. For more information or online guestbook please call 978-744-0497 or visit www.murpyfuneralhome.com .