John P. Murphy, loved baseball
John “Jack” P. Murphy, 78, of Millsboro, formerly of Branchburg Township, N.J., passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, at his home.
Jack was born July 6, 1943, in Plainfield, N.J., son of the late John P. and Anna Murphy of Plainfield. John and Anna both emigrated from County Mayo, Ireland, met in the U.S., married, and raised their family. John graduated from South Plainfield High School. He also graduated from the New Jersey Carpenters and Joiners Apprentice Program and was a member of Local 455 in Plainfield, where he was a carpenter and millwright for 37 years. He was also employed at The Home Depot in Bridgewater for 15 years before retiring. He moved to Millsboro in 2009.
Jack was an early riser and enjoyed a regular routine of walking and prayer. Jack loved the sport of baseball and enjoyed attending the Shorebirds games in Salisbury with friends. He was a grateful member of Alcoholics Anonymous and celebrated 43 years of sobriety.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Marie Smith. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mary Anne. Jack is also survived by a son, Brian Murphy, his wife Kim, and their two children, Lilianna Marie Murphy and Devin Patrick Murphy of Colorado; a daughter, Claire Town and her husband Clayton, and their son, Ethan Scott Town of New Jersey; and two sisters, Carol Darrow and her husband David of Arizona, and Gael Lynch and her husband Tom of North Carolina.
A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, Feb. 28, at the Ocean View Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 38040 Muddy Neck Rd., Ocean View. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 1, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 35318 Church Rd., Frankford, which will also be livestreamed by visiting facebook.com/stannbb. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Dagsboro.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Jack’s name to Seasons Hospice, 30265 Commerce Dr., Ste. 205, Millsboro, DE 19966.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting melsonfuneralservices.com.
