Robert J. Murphy

Robert J. Murphy, 92, of Garfield, NJ passed on Sunday, January 29, 2023. Born in East Hampton, MA to his late parents, Joseph and Mary Murphy, he served in the US Coast Guard during the Korean War. He was an active parishioner of Holy Name Church in Garfield where he served as Lector and as an Eucharistic Minister at Mass. As a professional musician and big band music enthusiast, he specialized in playing the upright bass, but was proficient with many instruments. Robert was also a devoted fan of the Boston Red Sox.

As a Yeoman in the Coast Guard, Robert was working the radio in Wood's Hole Massachusetts on February 18th 1952 during the famous S.S. Pendleton rescue mission as made famous by the movie, "The Finest Hour."  Robert "Bob" to his friends and "Bobby" to his beloved mother, also attended Music College in Jacksonville, Florida where he sat down and had tea with Duke Ellington.  Robert worked for the Ford Motor Vehicle Company where he was on a first name basis with Henry Ford who he would chauffeur to and from the airport.  He also met John F. Kennedy, a senator at the time.  Robert was a true Renaissance Man.  But first and foremost, a family man. 

Surviving are his beloved wife of 49 years, Dolores; six loving children and their spouses, Nathan Kurtz, James and Nina Kurtz, Joshua and Kerry Kurtz, Jennifer and Gary DeSanto,  Jonah and Michelle Murphy, Noah and Jennifer Murphy; seven cherished granddaughters, Micaela, Genevieve, Olivia, Gianna, Isabella, Dominique and Francesca; two nephews, Shaun and Brian; two nieces, Karen and J9.

Visitation will be Friday, February 3, 2023 from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM at Barnegat Funeral Home, 841 W. Bay Ave., Barnegat, NJ. Funeral Mass will follow 1PM at St. Mary’s Church, Barnegat, NJ. Cremation private. (www.BarnegatFH.com)

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