Joseph F. Murphy

Joseph F. Murphy, age 83, a lifelong resident of Milton, passed away surrounded by his loving family on February 28, 2025. Joseph was born in Boston and was the son of the late Mary (Gaffney) and Francis A. Murphy. He is survived by his best friend, soulmate, and loving wife of 58 years, Anne (Swett) Murphy.
Even though Joe and Anne lived around the corner from each other for many years, they did not connect until they were in their twenties and were inseparable for the next 60 years. Joe spent many hours driving the Maine Turnpike while Anne was in college. They married in 1966 and bought a house in Milton's Cunningham Park area, which they renovated together.
Joe was a member of the Class of 1959 at Archbishop Williams High School and graduated from Coyne Electrical School of Boston. He continued his education in the IBEW Electrical Apprenticeship Program. He was a proud member of IBEW Local 103 for 61 years, working as an electrician, foreman, and estimator. Joe remained active in the Local 103 Retirees Club and was Treasurer for many years.
He was a Milton Town Meeting Member since 1980 and served at the Milton Housing Authority for over thirty years. He was also a Precinct 8 Election Warden. Additionally, he was a member of the Milton School Building Committee, where he spent ten years working on the first school building project that renovated all of the town's schools during the 2000's.
In July 2013, Joe and Anne moved to their residence at Home Inc., where he was a member of the Finance Committee, the Board of Directors, and served as Home Inc.'s Treasurer. The Murphys also coordinated the monthly coffees for the residents. He loved living at Home Inc. and especially enjoyed walking and socializing with his many friends and neighbors. He took great pleasure in his monthly breakfasts with his Breakfast Club group.
His hobbies included reading, traveling, spending time with his friends in the Florida Keys and Jupiter, Florida, gardening, working on home projects, and countless hours doing jigsaw puzzles. He cherished the 54 summers the Murphy's spent at their summer home on Lucas Pond in Northwood, New Hampshire, where they enjoyed swimming, boating, and simply sitting on the deck overlooking the water with friends and neighbors, listening to the sounds of nature, especially the loons. His greatest joy, however, was spending time with his family and friends, especially as "Papa" to his cherished grandchildren, AJ and Cate.
In addition to his wife, Anne, he is survived by his beloved son, Stephen A. Murphy, his wife, Suzanne McNitt of Milton, and his two grandchildren, Alan (AJ) and Catherine (Cate) Murphy. He was predeceased by his son, Jeffrey D. Murphy. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Barbara O'Connor (Kevin) of North Falmouth and Janet Bejtlich (Michael) of Rochester. Joseph was the brother-in-law of the late David Swett. He is also survived by his loving nieces and nephews: Meghan Castaneda, Jessica O'Connor, Ian Swett, Benjamin Swett, Mathew Bejtlich, and Emily Bejtlich.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Our Lady of the Visitation Parish, Saint Elizabeth Church, 350 Reedsdale Road, Milton, Thursday March 6 at 10:00 am. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours at Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, EAST MILTON SQUARE, Wednesday 4-8 PM. Interment Milton Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Joseph's memory to the Jeffrey D. Murphy Memorial Scholarship, 43 Orchard Road, Milton, MA 02186.
5
Mar
Visiting Hours
04:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Dolan Funeral Homes and Cremation Services - EAST MILTON SQUARE 460 Granite Avenue Milton, MA 02186
6
Mar
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Our Lady of the Visitation Parish (Saint Elizabeth Church) 350 Reedsdale Road Milton, MA 02186
6
Mar
Interment
11:30 AM - 11:45 AM
Milton Cemetery 211 Centre Street Milton, MA 02186