MURPHY, John Joseph

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, AZ - Posted: Tuesday, October 2, 2012 - John “Jack” Joseph Murphy, 86, of Marstons Mills, Mass., and Lake Havasu City, passed away peacefully Sept. 30, 2012. John was born May 8, 1926, to Anne (MacDonald) and Francis Murphy. John graduated from St. Margaret’s High School in Dorchester and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served as an Aviation Radioman 3rd Class during World War II, and was stationed in Guam. Upon his return, John married Maura Regina Melle Sept. 14, 1946; they spent 59 happily married years together. John started his first day with the Boston Police Department Nov. 2, 1949, serving 32 years where he was known as being a tough but a very fair law enforcement agent. John retired in June 1981 as Sergeant Detective and held degrees from Northeastern University in law enforcement and criminology and was a member of the Sigma Epsilon Rho Honor Society. John spent the last 29 years wintering in Lake Havasu City; 23 of those were spent with his late wife, Maura. He was an active member of Our Lady of the Lake Church and main vocalist of the Happy Gang Band, which sang to the elderly and sick children. John was also a 4th Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus; American Legion Post 188 and 206; Disabled American Veterans and a lifetime member of the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars. John is survived by his children, Regina (Floyd) Silvia, of Osterville, Mass., and Jacqueline (John) Machado, of Marstons Mills, Mass.; five grandchildren, Patrick (Vivi) Silvia; James Machado; Joseph (Katherine) Machado; Jeffrey Machado and Christopher (Aimee) Coughlin; four great-grandchildren, Madison and Lindsay Machado, and Tathiana Silvia and Joseph Coughlin; his siblings, Louise Constance Peterson, of Florida; Arthur Murphy, of Maine; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by siblings, Francis Murphy, Richard Murphy and Jean Taggart. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, in Our Lady of Victory Church, Centerville, Mass. Burial will follow in Mosswood Cemetery, Cotuit, Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: VNA Hospice, 255 Independence Dr., Hyannis, MA 02601. For online guest book visit www.johnlawrencefuneralhome.com. John-Lawrence Funeral Home, 3778 Falmouth Road, Marstons Mills, MA 02648