Joseph Gerald Murphy, 90, World War II Veteran, Haverhill Aux. Police

Joseph Gerald Murphy, 90, of Haverhill, died Aug. 2, surrounded by his children. A lifelong resident of Haverhill, Murphy never strayed far from his birthplace in the Acre.

He 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.  Murphy 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, 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.

Murphy was the Widower of Margaret H. “Peg” (Clohecy) who died in 2005 after 58 years of marriage. He is survived by his children Barry T. and his wife Pamela of Bradford, Brian D. of Newton, N.H., Elinor T. of Newton, N.H., Richard F. and his fiancée Kimberly McHenry of Derry, N.H., Daniel T. and his wife Christine of Lee, N.H., Mary M. Reval and her husband Craig, of Panama City Beach, Fla. and daughter-in-law Ella of Nassau, N.Y.; siblings; Leo and his wife Jacqueline of Haverhill, James and his wife Cora Mae of Newburyport, Marilyn Hefferan of Atkinson, N.H.; 21 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his oldest son Gerald J., granddaughter Marilyn, daughter-in-law Kathleen, sister Marguerite, brothers Edward, Richard and William, sisters in law Katherine, Pauline, Virginia, and brother in law, Robert Hefferan.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Murphy’s life celebration Wednesday, from 4 to 8 p.m., at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St. Haverhill. His funeral begins 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 Street, Haverhill.  Burial follows in Saint James Cemetery, Primrose Street, Haverhill.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Santa’s Helpers St. James Parish 6 Cottage St. Haverhill, MA 01831.