Robert Chester "Bob" Murchie

Robert (Bob) Chester Murchie, 85, long time Fitchburg resident, died Tuesday, Dec. 2 at home.

Mr. Murchie was born in Springfield, VT on Sept. 6, 1923 to Daniel and Ella (Bryant) Murchie. He moved to Fitchburg as a child and graduated from Fitchburg High School in 1942. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and saw combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. He was appointed to the Fitchburg Fire Department on June 20, 1951. He was promoted to Lieutenant on April 4, 1961. He retired after 36 years of service on January 31, 1987. He was a member of the Fitchburg Firefighters Association and the Fitchburg Permanent Fire Association. He was a member of St. Bernard's Church. He was a wonderful family man.

He leaves his wife of 52 years, Mary (Shea) Murchie; three sons, Robert and his wife Elizabeth of Hopkinton, Brian and his wife Kimberly of Westminster, Barry and his wife Susan of Fitchburg, and his daughter, Mary Beth and her husband Robert Jokela of Leominster; one brother, Everett Murchie of Fitchburg and one sister, Mary Remal also of Fitchburg; and many nieces and nephews. He also is survived by his grandchildren, Ellen, Patrick and Colin Murchie of Westminster, Daniel and Catherine Jokela of Leominster, Connor and Megan Murchie of Hopkinton, and Nicole and Thomas Murchie of Fitchburg. He was predeceased by a brother, Lawrence Murchie, a sister, Jean Wiitala, and two grandchildren, Abby and Matthew Murchie.

The funeral was held Friday, Dec. 5, from the Smith-Mallahy-Masciarelli Funeral Home, 243 Water Street, with a Mass at 10:00 a.m. in St. Bernard's Church, 240 Water Street. Calling hours were held 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday Dec. 4, at the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Bernard's Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Neonatology Fund, Newborn Intensive Care Unit, UMass Memorial Medical Center, 119 Belmont Street, Worcester, MA 01605 or to St. Bernard's Memorial Fund, 240 Water Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420.