Murphy, John “Jack” Dickinson 89, of Wellesley and Harwichport, Massachusetts and Naples, Florida passed in Wayland, MA, of natural causes.
Jack was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, the only child of Frances (nee Dickinson) and John Murphy. After his mother’s tragic death when Jack was just 12 years, he lived with his parent’s relatives, Powers’s, Braga’s, Lynch’s and Dewhurst’s in Fall River and Somerset, Massachusetts until graduating from high school. Jack excelled in sports. He was captain of the Somerset High champion basketball team, played 2nd base on the baseball team, and was the “single-wing” quarterback of the football team. Later, tennis became his obsession and played well into his 80s. After high school, Jack joined the Navy in the post WWII recovery period. Upon his honorable discharge, he attended Bridgewater State Teachers College where he received his BA, and more importantly, where Jack met his devoted wife of more than 63 years, Patricia Delaney. With Patricia’s support, he later attained his MA from Boston College. For most of his professional career Jack served in education-related publishing companies as the Sales Manager for New England and US military base schools in Europe and later Vice President of Sales at Prentiis Hall. He quietly volunteered his spare time and supported charities including “Meals on Wheels,” NYC retired nuns’ fund, and needy Catholic schools. The last few years, Jack was compassionately dedicated to the care of Patricia who, until her recent death, had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
Jack was known for his determination, tireless work ethic and management skills, which served him well in raising eight children, all of whom are profoundly grateful for his sacrificial generosity and diligent exhortation. He is deeply missed by John Murphy (Fort Myers, FL), Peter (MJ) Murphy (Paoli, PA), Paul (Almaz) Murphy (Sudan), France E. Murphy (Medfield, MA), Mary Webb (Los Angeles, CA), Neil (Helen Stubbs) Murphy (Groton, MA), Kathryn Murphy (Delray, FL), Sally (Rajiv) Prasad (Cambridge, MA). And his 14 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
A Funeral Mass will be held in St. John the Evangelist Church, Wellesley Hills, on Thursday June 28, at 11am followed by a lunch and celebration of Jack’s life at the Wellesley College Club. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Jack’s name here: http://dougfl.convio.net/jackmurphy/