John Murray

1928 - 2016

Murray, John Philip



John Philip Murray, 87, died on November 14, 2016. A resident of Albuquerque since 1959, the Sanitary Engineer, native to Pelham Bay, the Bronx, was fond of billing himself as a "cultural missionary". John, the younger son of Rose Anne (neeMcAdam) and Philip Murray of County Monaghan, Ireland and New York City was born in NYC on December 7, 1928. He graduated from All Hallows H.S., up the hill from Yankee Stadium. He received a BCE degree from Manhattan College in 1951 and a MSCE degree from Purdue University in 1952. He was a doctoral candidate of UNM circa 1970.

He married Edith Bellinger in Oakland, CA on Groundhog Day 1957. Their union was blessed with four daughters: Ann, Ruth, Catherine and Margaret, all born in Albuquerque. While in active practice, he was a Registered Professional Engineer in N.M. and a Diplomate of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers. Over half his Federal Service was with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from which he retired in 1986. While with the Albuquerque District, he acted as a Special Master for the N.M. District Court on the phase out of the 2nd St. Sewage Treatment Plant and was Project Manager for AGUA, the Albuquerque Greater Urban Area Water Resources Study, which served as precursor for subsequent studies. He then served as an engineer with the Albuquerque Public Works Department from 1986 through 2001. He also served as a Sanitary Engineer Officer in the USAF (1950s) and the USPHS (1960s). One of his Air Force assignments was with the Fifth Epidemiological Flight in Korea. Another was with the Surgeon's Office, HQ, WADF, Hamilton AFB, CA. With PHS, he was with the Indian Health Service here and was involved in the management of the PL86-121 (Sanitation Facilities Act) program. He was active in the Irish-American Society and was a member of The Shrine of St. Bernadette Roman Catholic Community.

He is survived by his daughters and families, Dr. Ann Siefert and husband Capt. John Siefert USN(MC)ret. and children Christine, Kevin, Catherine Rose, Eric, Rachel and Matthew of Coronado, CA; Ruth Murray of CO, Catherine Juveland and husband Olaf and daughter, Ann Violet; Margaret Mounho and husband John and children Sarah and Michael, all of Albuquerque. He is survived also by his sister-in-law Joan Murray of Central Islip, Long Island, her children: Diane, Lisa and Brian; first cousin, Eamon McAdam of Ireland; and a number of first and second cousins of Long Island, NY.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Edith Murray, and his older brother, James Philip Murray.



He was forever grateful for all the fine people who graced his life.



Friends may visit one hour prior to the Rosary being recited Wednesday, November 30, 2016, 6:00 p.m. at FRENCH â€" Lomas. Mass will be celebrated Thursday, December 1, 2016, 9:00 a.m. at The Shrine of St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 11401 Indian School Road NE. Interment will be in the Santa Fe National Cemetery. Living plants as well as flowers are appreciated. Please visit the online guestbook for John at

www.FrenchFunerals.com