John B. Murdock

NEWPORT, R.I. — John B. Murdock, of Hyannis, passed away peacefully on July 29, 2009, following several months of illness. He was surrounded by his children as well as several relatives and friends.

A former resident of Concord, Mass., and Cotuit, he was predeceased by his wife, Patricia Staples Murdock, who died in 1994. He is survived by three children: a daughter, Pamela Stanek and her husband James of Newport; and two sons, Daniel "Buff" Murdock and his wife Andrea of Groton, Mass., and John R. "Randy" Murdock of Boston, Mass. He also leaves three grandchildren, Eben Horton of Wakefield, Lauren Stanek of Newport, and Lindsay Murdock of South Boston, Mass.; a great-grandchild, Campbell Horton of Wakefield. He also leaves his loving companion, Barbara O'Neill of Centerville.

John was raised in a prominent Everett family of 10. His father, Daniel R. W. Murdock, was one of the inventors of the Murdock radio. His mother was the former Julia Gaffney. He was predeceased by several sisters, Susan Tully, Gertrude Killian, Grace Martinson, Rosemary Curnane and Ann Conley; and two brothers, Steven Murdock and Daniel Murdock. He is survived by two sisters, Charlotte Hogan of Cranford, N.J., and Catherine Dewey of Quincy, Mass.

A graduate of Holy Cross College, class of 1941, John enlisted in the Marine Corps during his senior year. After being called to active duty in February of 1942, he trained at Quantico, Va., and graduated from Officer Candidates' School at Camp Lejeune, N.C. As a second lieutenant, Murdock was transferred to the West Coast and became a member of the 2nd Division, 1st Battalion, 8th Regiment. He saw active duty on Samoa, Guadalcanal, Tarawa and Saipan, serving as executive officer and company commander. For his bravery, valor and leadership, he was promoted to captain.

On Nov. 20, 1942, Lt. Murdock and his patrol rescued renowned fellow Marine Barney Ross who went on to become welterweight champion of the world. Ross never forgot John's efforts, publicly cited his brave rescue and attributed his life to Lt. Johnny Murdock.

His contributions to the Marine Corps in the South Pacific have been chronicled in the recent publication "Faithful Warriors" by fellow Officer Dean Ladd and military historian Steven Weingartner. Released in May, John achieved his wish "to live long enough to see 'Faithful Warriors' published."

He was awarded a Purple Heart and a Presidential Citation for his military service.

After leaving the South Pacific, Capt. Murdock served as commander of the Ammunitions Depot, Hingham, Mass., and as an adjutant at Marine Corps Headquarters, Washington, D.C. He also served as a military aide to Governor Maurice Tobin from 1945 to 1946.

John was an active member of the 2nd Division USMC and the Marine Corps League, Hyannis Detachment 125.

For 35 years, he served as an usher at Our Lady of the Assumption, Osterville. He was a member of the Olde Barnstable Golf Club and the Holy Cross College Alumni Association. John was employed as a home office representative for Prudential Insurance Co. for 37 years.

John is remembered by many for his love of family, his winning smile and his ability to light up a room with his laugh and storytelling. He had a playful temperament, a jaunty Irish wit and always considered himself to be "the luckiest man alive."

A funeral Mass will be celebrated in Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Wianno Avenue, Osterville, on Monday, Aug. 3, at noon. Visiting hours are in John-Lawrence Funeral Home, 3778 Falmouth Road (Route 28), Marstons Mills on Sunday, from 2 to 5 p.m. Burial is in Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne, at 1:45 p.m.

Memorials in his name may be made to the Second Marine Division Association, P.O. Box 8180, Camp Lejeune, NC 28547, 910-451-3167.