He was born in Biddeford on Sept. 24, 1921, a son of Arthur and Ellen (Burns) Murphy. He graduated from Thornton Academy, Class of 1941.
John was employed by Garland Manufacturing in Biddeford for 45 years, retiring as a foreman in 1986. During retirement, he worked for the Portland Jetport as a security officer for several years.
While at Thornton Academy, he got his love of music in music appreciation class. He often told his children that students would put their heads on their desks and “listen” to classical music. That stayed with him throughout his life and he passed this on to his children and grandchildren. John, a lifelong music enthusiast, was a drummer for Painchaud’s Band, Muriel’s Orchestra and Alex and the Internationals.
John was a historian of the Saco and Biddeford area. Whenever he met someone new he would ask, “What are your parents and grandparents names?” He would than proceed to give them information of the family’s relatives and where they lived. The Dyer Library taped an oral history interview of Saco in which John enjoyed participating.
He is preceded in death by: his brother, Arthur; and his sister, Grace.
He is survived by: his wife of 67 years, Elizabeth (Pombraind) Murphy; three daughters, Patricia Aceto and her husband David of Eliot, Mary Ellen Murphy of Saco, and Kathleen Gagne and her husband Daniel of Biddeford; four grandchildren, Stacy Forcier, Aaron Williams, Nathan Gagne, and David Aceto; and four great grandchildren, Jimmy, Lily, Abigail, and Maxwell.
Visitation will be 4-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7 at Cote Funeral Home, 87 James St., Saco.
A graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8 at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Biddeford.
To view John’s memorial page or leave an online condolence, visit www.cotefuneralhome.com.
Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider donations in John’s name to Thornton Fund Friends of the Arts, 438 Main St. Saco, ME 04072.
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