Herbert J. Murphy, Sr.
June 4, 1917 — April 18, 2006
WINCHENDON - Herbert J. Murphy, Sr., 88, of 15 Doyle Avenue, Winchendon, died Tuesday evening, April 18th in Heywood Hospital, Gardner, following an illness.
He was born in Boston on June 4,1917, the son of Michael P. and Alice J. (Herrick) Murphy and had lived in Winchendon for most of his life.
Herb was a member of the Winchendon Police Department for 22 years. He was then employed at the former General Box Company for 18 years before his retirement. He was a U.S. Coast Guard veteran of World War Two, and was a member of the Eugene M. Connor Post 193 American Legion and the Lt. Frederick Wilder White Post 2158 Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a communicant of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and was a life member of the Winchendon Rod and Gun Club. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family.
Herb's wife of 50 years, Jane L. (Burnham) Murphy, died in 1999. He leaves two sons, Michael P. Murphy, Sr. of Winchendon and Herbert J. Murphy, Jr., of Fitzwilliam, N.H.; eight daughters, Ann L. "Sis" Abare of Gardner, Nancy F. Gautreau and Colleen G. Smith, both of Templeton, Mary J. Bois, Doreen A. LaPointe, and Alice J. "Joey" Vaine, all of Winchendon, Kathleen Ryan of Londonderry, NH and Jane S. LaPointe of Rindge, N.H.; 34 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and several nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by a son, Timothy P. Murphy in 2004, a grandson, Shawn Clark, a granddaughter Susan Clark, two brothers, Robert and Arthur Murphy, and two sisters, Alice Cleveland and Anna Cunningham.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 22nd from the Snow-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 A.M. in Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 52 Spruce Street. Burial will take place in Riverside Cemetery. Calling hours in the funeral home will be Friday, April 21st from 6 to 8 P.M.
Memorial donations may be made to the Shawn Clark Athletic Scholarship, care of David Reid, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, 1050 Westminster Street, Fitchburg, MA. 01420.