Edward G. Murdock
Retired Teamster Local 25; 82
TEWKSBURY -- Edward G. "Big Ed" Murdock, age 82, a retired Teamster with AFL-CIO Local 25, died peacefully at his Tewksbury residence on Friday afternoon, October 28, following a courageous four month battle with cancer. He was the husband of Yung Ja Murdock.
He was born in Boston, February 28, 1929, a son of the late Edward F. and Margaret (Jones) Murdock. He was raised in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood in Boston. He served in the Massachusetts National Guard during the Korean War, and served stateside in communications as a Morse Code specialist. He moved to Tewksbury in 1965 to raise his family, and retired to Florida in 1986.
Prior to retirement, he worked as a truck driver for the Airco company.
If you were lucky enough to meet Ed he would introduce himself with his favorite saying "Hello, I'm Big Ed Murdock everyone's friend." He was an avid golfer who had worked down to a four handicap, and in retirement was a member and former employee of the Citrus Hills Country Club. He owned a Hole-In-One at Citrus Hills, and enjoyed telling friends and acquaintances that he had played against former Red Sox legend Ted Williams, and had won a dollar from Ted during their match.
He will be remembered for his encyclopedic knowledge of the events and history surrounding the U.S. Civil War. He will also be remembered for his love of Boston's professional sports teams, especially the Red Sox and Patriots.
Besides his wife, he is survived by five children, Karen Smith and her husband Ret. SFC, William B. Smith, US Army of Washington, Donna Miele and her husband, Joseph of Billerica, Steven Murdock and his wife, Joan (McLean) of Tewksbury, Lynn-Ann O'Malley of Tewksbury, and Susan Burlock of Tewksbury; twelve grandchildren, David Smith, Sgt. Joanna Smith, U.S. Army, Ian Smith, and Morgan Smith, all of Washington, Mark Stokowski and Eric Stokowski, both of Florida,
Katherine Murdock of Somerville, Sarah Murdock, Michael O'Malley, both of Tewksbury, Shaun Sullivan and Cassandra Sullivan, both of Windsor, NH, L.Cpl. Joseph Sullivan, U.S.M.C. currently in San Diego, CA; two great-grandchildren Nathan and River; two sisters, Jane Dowd of FL, and Janice Howard of Winthrop; a sister-in-law and good friend, Marilyn Mason; and many nieces and nephews.
He was also the former husband of the late Joan M. (Greenleaf)(Murdock) Adams, brother of the late Madelyn Mundon, and best friend of the late Big Daddy Don MacLaren.
MURDOCK -- of Tewksbury and Inverness, FL. Oct 28. Korean War Era Veteran, Edward G. Murdock, age 82. Relatives and friends will be received Tuesday, Nov. 1, from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Tewksbury Funeral Home, corner of 1 Dewey and 975 Main Sts. (Rte. 38) TEWKSBURY CENTER, phone (800 in MA or 978) 851-2950. His funeral will begin Wednesday at 9:00 a.m from the funeral home, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. in St. William's Church, 1351 Main St. (Rte 38) Tewksbury.
Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, No. Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Middlesex East VNA, 607 North Ave, Suite 17, Wakefield, MA 01880 will be appreciated.
tewksburyfuneralhome.comPublished by Lowell Sun from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, 2011.