Harold Francis Murphy

Harold Francis Murphy, 98, of Manchester, NH died after a period of declining health on August 28, 2025, in his home surrounded by his children and their spouses.

Harold  was born August 4, 1927 in Dracut, MA to Albert J. Murphy and Vivian Willett Murphy.  His siblings were Kathryn L. Murphy, Edward Clarke Murphy, Eileen Murphy Buciak, Ann Murphy Begin and Dr. Albert J. Murphy, Jr.

The Murphy family moved to Manchester in 1928 so that Albert could start a new business venture,  Manchester Fruit and Produce, with his brother-in- law and a friend.  Harold grew up on Jewett Street in Manchester adjacent to Prout Park where he and his brother Eddie and the neighborhood kids would regularly play baseball and horseshoes.  He and Eddie also kept horses at Still’s Nursery and rode their horses around the neighborhood.

Harold attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) elementary school, graduating in 1940 and St. Joseph’s High School for Boys graduating in 1944. He graduated from St Anselm College in 1951 with a liberal arts degree.

His college career was interrupted when he joined the Navy at the age of 17 in July 1945-July 1948. He was stationed in the Pacific Theatre where he initially worked as a radar man and then served on the President Adams (PA 19) transporting troops all around the Pacific.

He married Eleanor McDonald on August 2, 1952.  They were blessed with 5 children, Christine, Vickie, Sharon, Matthew and Michael.

Harold and his young family moved to Colebrook, NH in 1954 where he started his teaching career in Stewartstown, NH, where he taught in a one room school house.  Later, he taught 6th grade math and science at Hallsville School for many years where he also served as assistant principal, retiring in 1990. As assistant principal, he served as the school disciplinarian and when a student stepped out of line, he would be sent to Mr. Murphy.  He was recognized for his devotion and generous service to the education of Manchester students.  He also worked for many years at Rockingham Park Race Track in Salem, NH where he also participated in harness racing, a favorite hobby. He attended the New England Harness Racing School in Foxboro, MA. 

He grew up hunting deer, pheasants and partridges in the surrounding woods and fields of Manchester and Bedford at a time when there was much more open land.  He loved going on hunting trips with his brothers, Eddie and Alby, up in northern NH and the lakes of Maine.  He could be found tending a large vegetable garden and loved taking photos of his family. Harold enjoyed spending time and holidays with his large and expanding family and loved hearing about his grandchildrens’ adventures. He often said he was the luckiest person in the world to have such a nice family.

Harold will be dearly missed and will be remembered for his good sense of humor, his easygoing nature, his generosity and his “glass half full” attitude.  As his health failed, he was cared for by all of his children, who made it possible for him to stay at home as he wished.

Harold was predeceased by his ex-wife, Eleanor, and his siblings Edward, Albert, Kathryn and Ann.  He is survived by his sister, Eileen Buciak, and his five children: Christine Windler and her husband Bill; Vickie Irwin and her husband Bryce; Sharon Matras and her husband Gene; Matthew Murphy and his wife Cyndi; Michael Murphy and his wife Maryann. He is also survived by grandchildren Stefan Windler, Anna Windler Long, Margaret Windler Tello, Julie Sanborn, Brian Irwin, Tony Matras, Jesse Matras, Bonnie Matras, Willie Matras, Asa Matras, Rose Murphy, Joseph Murphy, Daniel Murphy, Meredith McIntee, Alex Murphy and Jennifer Murphy. He also is survived by sixteen great-grandchildren.

Services: Calling hours are Tuesday, September 2, 2025, from 4 to 6 PM at Connor-Healy Funeral Home and Cremation Center 537 Union Street, Manchester, NH. 

A funeral service will be held Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at 10 AM in the funeral home.

Burial with military honors will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bedford, NH.

Memorial donations may be made to Saint Anselm Abbey, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester, NH 03102.

For more information visit: www.connorhealy.com.