Joseph Aloysius Murray III

Joe Murray: A loving husband, an adoring father, a beloved brother, a passionate educator, and a treasured friend. Joe was a man of many hats, both figuratively and literally! He was the lead singer in Epstein's Mother and Finite Wisdom, an accomplished guitarist during Worship, a fly fisherman on the rivers of Montana, a loyal New England sports fanatic, and the enthusiastic lacrosse coach who encouraged hundreds of students in Southern California. Joe was the person who made you laugh with his quick wit, hilarious one-liners and the uncanny ability to quote the most obscure lines from movies and television. He possessed that unique ability to make everyone around him feel that little bit better, happier, and lighter.

Joseph Aloysius Murray III, was born March 18, 1966 at Landstuhl Medical Center in West Germany. Joe was the 4th of 6 children born to Dr. J. Charles and Nancy Murray. Named after his grandfather, a physician in Bayonne, NJ and his uncle, a Catholic priest, Joe had big shoes to fill, but did so with humility, humor and grace. Over the course of his lifetime he became a beautiful blend of both his grandfather and uncle, having developed a passion for science, leadership and volunteerism.

Joe thrived growing up in Concord, NH, swimming for the YMCA, playing hockey and golf for Bishop Brady High School, and creating friendships that would last his lifetime. However, it was during his year at Portsmouth Abbey in Newport, RI, where Joe found his lifelong passion for the game of lacrosse. Upon graduating from BBHS, he left New Hampshire to attend the Florida Institute of Technology. While living in Melbourne, FL, Joe enjoyed 7 years of fun in the sun with his Pike brothers. Upon his graduation, Joe left FIT with not only a BS in AstroPhysics, but with stories of shenanigans that continued to make everyone laugh and sometimes cringe over the next 30 plus years.

After graduation, Joe moved to San Diego, and began building the foundation of what would eventually grow to be his amazing, blessed life as a husband, father, friend and educator. He met Lisa, his wife of almost 25 years, while bartending at Chili's restaurant. They married on June 27, 1998 and celebrated their love and devotion for each other and their family every day thereafter. He never shied from telling anyone who would listen about how he "married-up". Joe was besotted with Lisa from the day they first met until his passing on January 28, 2023. Joe's life continued to grow and strengthen with the birth of his two daughters, Abbey (1999) and Carly (2003). Joe's daughters were the sun in his world. Together, the four of them camped, hiked, skied, fished and enjoyed time with family and friends at every possible opportunity. These three women were his source of strength and motivation to keep fighting for more time together. This past Christmas Eve, the Holiest night of the year, Joe rallied his strength and together they celebrated, laughed and played games, creating memories that will last for the rest of their own lifetimes.

It was after moving to San Diego that Joe decided to pursue a career in teaching science. He went back to college, earning his teaching credential while working full time and finding time to play lacrosse with the Moondoggies, he was always in search of that perfect balance of play and work. He began his teaching career at Rancho Bernardo High School in Poway, CA. Next, Joe taught at Oceanside High School, followed by 7 years at La Costa Canyon High School and then found his true home away from home when opening Vista Murrieta High School in 2003. Over time he completed his Masters in Science Education and became a National Board Certified teacher in Science. Joe was passionate about both physics and the students he felt blessed to teach and coach. He absolutely loved being an educator and found such incredible purpose in the classroom with his students. Being able to be a teacher, advisor and coach at his own daughters' high school was simply the frosting on the cake for Joe.

Joe's passion for science never once conflicted with his relationship with the Lord. It was Joe's unwavering belief and trust in God that allowed him to endure his battles with cancer over the course of 30 years. He found incredible solace in his life and journey, trusting in God's plan and having faith in that he was not dying, but simply changing his address.

Joe is predeceased in death by his parents, John Charles Murray and Nancy (Gilroy) Murray and is survived by his wife, Lisa, daughters, Abigail and Caroline, brother, Bill (Suzanne), sisters, Maureen (John Boornazian), Kathy Jones, Patti (Dan Ritter), and Colleen (Scott Woodward), mother-in-law Lynn (Geoff Landon), father-in-law, Daniel Gulbranson, sister-in-law Jennifer (Chris Tavaglione), brothers-in-law Adam Gulbranson (Courtney) and Corey Gulbranson (Katie) along with many nieces and nephews, all of whom adored their Uncle Joe.

Joe embodied love: love for his family, love for his friends, love for his profession, and love for this beautiful world created by God. Each and everyday he felt and appreciated the love and support from his school community, his church community, his large family and his legion of friends. We will all miss singing along to his guitar playing, laughing at his stories and beating him at cribbage until we join him one day at his new, heavenly address.

A true Celebration of Life ceremony will take place on Joe's 57th birthday, March 18th at 2:00pm in the Vista Murrieta High School Performing Arts Center.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Joseph A. Murray Memorial Foundation, providing scholarships to students pursuing further education in science. Donations may be mailed to Coastal Community Foundation, 162 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road, Suite F50, Encinitas, CA 92024. Make checks payable to Coastal Community Foundation. In the memo line, please write The Joseph A. Murray Memorial Foundation.