Obituary for Edward John "EJ" Murphy
Edward John ("EJ") Murphy died unexpectedly Sunday evening October 25. He was 73 years old. Born July 20, 1942, EJ was the son of the late Martha Craver and Edward John Murray of Springfield, Ohio. The family moved to Hamburg, NY outside of Buffalo in 1950. EJ graduated from Hamburg High School in 1959 and studied at Dayton University, where he obtained a degree in Psychology in 1963.
EJ joined the Army in 1966 and served as a medic in Vietnam. He was discharged from Walter Reed Hospital after recovering from an illness in 1969. As did many veterans of Vietnam, EJ suffered depression and homelessness after the war, until he went to the VA hospital in Bedford, where he received treatment and began his amazing recovery.
A man never to be underestimated, EJ achieved mental and physical health, which culminated in his finding a comfortable and happy living situation at Billerica Crossing. He lived there for the last 12 years of his life, serving as President of the Residents Council, organizing events and enjoying the company of the residents and staff.
In his later life, EJ faced additional physical challenges, including kidney disease and a transplant, in addition to cancer. Despite these obstacles, he always faced them with humor and optimism. EJ was a devoted member of the Boston Church of Christ. He is survived by his brother, Richard W. Murray and his wife Vinton of Asheville, NC, his two nephews, O'Brien and Michael Murray, a niece, Colleen Murray, and seven cousins.
MURPHY – Edward John (“EJ”) Murphy, A Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on November 2 at the Sweeney Memorial Funeral Home, 66 Concord Rd., Billerica. Burial with military honors will be conducted at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, on November 3 at 12:45 p.m. Please arrive at the cemetery no later than 12:30 p.m. In lieu of donations, the family requests that you be kind to those around you and try to help those in need, as EJ did all of his life.
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EJ joined the Army in 1966 and served as a medic in Vietnam. He was discharged from Walter Reed Hospital after recovering from an illness in 1969. As did many veterans of Vietnam, EJ suffered depression and homelessness after the war, until he went to the VA hospital in Bedford, where he received treatment and began his amazing recovery.
A man never to be underestimated, EJ achieved mental and physical health, which culminated in his finding a comfortable and happy living situation at Billerica Crossing. He lived there for the last 12 years of his life, serving as President of the Residents Council, organizing events and enjoying the company of the residents and staff.
In his later life, EJ faced additional physical challenges, including kidney disease and a transplant, in addition to cancer. Despite these obstacles, he always faced them with humor and optimism. EJ was a devoted member of the Boston Church of Christ. He is survived by his brother, Richard W. Murray and his wife Vinton of Asheville, NC, his two nephews, O'Brien and Michael Murray, a niece, Colleen Murray, and seven cousins.
MURPHY – Edward John (“EJ”) Murphy, A Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on November 2 at the Sweeney Memorial Funeral Home, 66 Concord Rd., Billerica. Burial with military honors will be conducted at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, on November 3 at 12:45 p.m. Please arrive at the cemetery no later than 12:30 p.m. In lieu of donations, the family requests that you be kind to those around you and try to help those in need, as EJ did all of his life.
Previous Events
Visitation
Monday
2
Nov
5:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
Sweeney Memorial Funeral Home
66 Concord Road
Billerica, MA 01821
Burial
Tuesday
3
Nov
12:45 PM
Massachusetts National Cemetery
Connery Ave.
Bourne , MA
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