John J. "Jack" Murray III

John "Jack" Joseph Murray III died peacefully at Lahey Burlington Hospital on Friday, October 31, 2025, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his daughters, Catherine Murray, Jennifer Mazur and her husband Ryan, his former wife Teresa Utley, her husband Michael Utley, his sister Pamela Schooley and his brother Ken Murray. He is also survived by many loving friends and family, including John's supportive and caring cousins.
Jack was a good man. He was kind and generous, thoughtful and surprising. He lived his life with a quiet humility and simplicity: he loved a large hot regular from Dunkin Donuts, a pack of Crown cigarettes, sharing a donut with the family dog, and watching rom-coms on television. He could quote Soul Surfer, knew every beat of the story in Pearl Harbor, and loved long drives in his red pick up truck, and eventually his Kia Sorento. He loved to take his family camping, to play rummy at the picnic table, and maybe sip a Bud Light at dinner or around the campfire.
Jack loved fiercely, with his whole heart, and once he cared about you he refused to stop. No matter how many years or miles would separate you, he would still cheer for you, send you love, believe in you. Even years after retirement, Jack would talk about his friends on the City of Salem DPW and remember "shooting the breeze" with the people there. He worked for the city for 25 years, and found purpose in his work there.
Jack loved his family, and he deeply loved being a father. He was so proud of his girls, and the lives they were building. He was proud of his son in law, his nieces and nephews, his foster grandchildren. He counted himself rich in love. He built a lifelong friendship with his former wife, Teresa, counting her among his best friends.
He loved dogs, particularly the family dogs Dusty and Sarge. He never met a baby he couldn't charm with a funny face and blowing raspberries. If there were kids in the room, they always found their way to Jack, where he would welcome them with open arms, tossing them in the air and chatting with them.
Jack will be so missed. He already is. There are no words to express all that his family are feeling, even while they hope and trust in his peace on the other side.
Jack was predeceased by his mother and father, Ruth and John Joseph Murray Jr, his mother in law Alice Guiggio, his cousins Judy Stevens and Maureen Vaccaro. We here on this side of time live in hope that their reunion was sweet, and everything Jack had hoped it would be.
A time of visitation will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025 from 10AM-12PM in the SOLIMINE FUNERAL HOME 426 Broadway (Rt 129), Lynn, with a service beginning at 12PM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited.
Jack was quietly and humbly generous. He didn't often have much money, but what he had he joyfully gave away to causes that mattered to him, including the Wounded Warrior Project, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and more. To honor him, we ask you to make a donation to either of the causes above, to the Beth Israel Lahey Health Fund, or to a cause of your choice. Jack would be so proud to know that his life, and his death, changed and helped the world in some small way.