Charles Murgia

1923 - 2017

Charles Murgia of 2449 E. Orvilla Road Hatfield, PA, died on the morning of April 24, 2017 after being admitted to Grand View Hospital for heart failure due to his recent battle with Pulmonary Lung Disease. Charlie and his late wife Barbara MacAdam Murgia recently lived in Hilltown, PA with their son Charlie and his family where he was loved into his last days in the care of family. Charlie is survived by his four children; daughter Carla Murgia of Morgantown, WV, daughter Janet Dunn and son in law Terence Dunn of Chalfont, PA, son Charlie Murgia and daughter in law Tanya Murgia of Hilltown, PA and son Ken Murgia and daughter in law Traci Murgia of Washington Township, NJ., 11 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Charlie was an active member of the Hatfield community throughout most of his lifetime where he took leading roles in both church and civic organizations. He was well known and well liked. He served St. Stanislaus Parish in Lansdale, PA as the head usher for 45 years. In that capacity, he organized the church’s finances after masses on Sundays and Holy days. He also served on the St. Stan’s Parish Festival committee where he diligently volunteered for 25 years. Charlie served as Chairman of the Board of the Hatfield Township Municipal Authority organizing monthly meetings and oversaw the financial and management aspects of their operations for over 45 years. Charlie was the past president of the Hatfield Lions Club for over 40 years and Deputy Governor of the Montgomery County Lions as well heading up many of their charity events. Additionally, he served as past president of the North Penn Industrial Management Club. He enjoyed bowling, golf and practicing and performing with his late wife, Barbara in the Lenape Valley Kouncil Kapers Variety Show. As a long-standing member of the Lansdale Catholic Father’s Club, he tirelessly helped to chair events and worked the chains on the sidelines as his sons played Crusader Football. As he and his wife advanced in years, he found much pleasure in socializing and attending Silver Sneakers classes through the North Penn and Indian Valley YMCA. They were recently awarded as finalists for the Richard L. Swainson Inspiration Award recognizing their long standing and exemplary participation in the Silver Sneakers Program. Charlie brought his passion for sports to many of the roles in which he served the community. As a PIAA official for close to 30 years, he served as a referee for football and an umpire for baseball and softball. He was a beloved coach for the Lansdale Cannoneers midget football program for many years. Though he would often be seen on the field in his official capacity, his favorite place was in the stands and on the sidelines cheering for his sons, daughters, and grandchildren. Everyone knew Grandpa Murgia. He could tell you the score and the names of all the players as well as their season record. An avid Eagles and Giants fan, his heart was also with the Golden Bears of Kutztown, the Millersville Marauders, Army’s Black Knights, and the U of PA Sprint football programs. His heart may have belonged to the game of football, but in reality it went wherever his children and grandchildren played. The Temple Owls were his home team while 2 of his children cheered there. He and his wife Barbara could be found on the sidelines at North Penn Squires Football, Saint Jude CYO Football, Basketball, Baseball, Volleyball Softball and Track, Deep Run Soccer, Softball Basketball and Baseball, Lenape Valley Football, Basketball and Baseball, Army Football and Rugby, Washington Township Football, Cheerleading, Track and Softball as well as North Penn, CB West and CB South Football and Lansdale Catholic Volleyball, Softball and Track. He never missed a swim meet at the Hatfield or Pennridge Aquatic Clubs. The color of his wardrobe changed with the seasons and sometimes throughout the day depending upon the team he was cheering on. Once he was no longer able to physically attend the games, he caught the live stream of the Franciscan University Barons Volleyball or AAU Track and Field Nationals. It is quite evident that his passion for sports has been passed down from generation to generation. Charlie was born August 31, 1923 and raised on 78th St. in Brooklyn, NY by his parents Matteo Murgia and Anna Rose Scandarella Murgia. As the youngest of 7, he was the last of the Murgia family to pass. His siblings were Rose (Dorn), Anthony, Vivian (Macri), Mary (Phillips), Frank and Joseph. He attended City College of New York and Navy Pre-Flight School at the University of North Carolina where he played football on the pre-flight team. He served his country in the Navy during World War II from 1943-1946. Charlie was a manufacturing engineer with Transicoil and later with Fisher and Porter. Charlie will be dearly missed by family friends, colleagues and the community at large. He brought happiness and cheer to all he met and the world is truly a better place through his lasting impact on it. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Monday evening from 7 to 9 PM at Saint Stanislaus Church, 51 Lansdale Ave., Lansdale and also Tuesday morning at Saint Stanislaus Church from 10 to 10:45AM. All are invited to attend his Funeral Mass at 11AM. Entombment is at Whitemarsh Memorial Park in Ambler. Arrangements are by Simcox-McIlvaine Funeral Home in Lansdale.