Richard F. Murphy

Richard Murphy Obituary Richard "Dick" F. Murphy, age 83, of Wilmington, MA, passed away peacefully on October 7th, 2025, at Lahey Hospital surrounded by his family.
Dick was born on September 16th, 1942, in Medford, MA as the cherished son of the late Richard F. Murphy and Mary M. (Lane) Murphy. He grew up in Malden with his parents and sister until his father's untimely passing when Dick was only 9. A hard-working young man, he took on a local paper route and many other jobs including working on the passenger boats at Rowes Wharf to help support his family. Dick considered himself very fortunate to attend Saint Joseph School in Malden and Malden Catholic High School, graduating in 1960.
Immediately after high school, at the age of 17, Dick enlisted in the United States Navy. After qualifying as an Electronics Technician, he fulfilled his dream to join the submarine force with his first assignment on the USS Caiman (SS-323) where he earned his dolphins. Dick was then amongst the first cohorts of sailors to go through the Navy's nascent nuclear training pipeline. Upon completion of his training, he was first assigned to the USS Skipjack (SSN-585) where he served as a reactor operator. He was subsequently selected to become an instructor at the Navy Nuclear Power School after successfully navigating an interview with Hyman Rickover. Dick's final tour was on the USS Shark (SSN-589), for a single patrol, where he and the crew were awarded the Navy Unit Commendation in connection with special operations conducted in the North Atlantic. He left the Navy shortly thereafter in late 1967 at the rank of Petty Officer First Class.
Upon leaving the Navy, Dick returned home to Malden and began applying his technical skills and nuclear knowledge in the private sector by day while earning his Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University at night. Dick's impressive intellect and creativity resulted in multiple inventions and patents in the area of process control by using radioactive isotopes to accurately measure the thickness of materials such as paper and plastics. Dick co-founded Aeonic Systems, which later operated as EGS Gauging until it was acquired by Thermo Fisher Scientific. He worked with many business partners and colleagues over his career and treasured those relationships and the experience of traveling all around the world as the business expanded.
In December 1969, Dick visited the Boston City Club, where he met a young lady named Christine from Cork, Ireland. A nice conversation turned into an offer to drive her home, which led to Dick helping Christine get her car fixed the next day. Dick and Christine were inseparable since, spending more than 54 wonderful years together. They married in 1971 and bought a home in Wilmington, where they raised their two children.
Dick was a very dedicated family man and the hero of his wife, son, daughter and grandson. He spent countless hours with his cherished grandson and continually sought and found ways to be of service to his family and others. Dick was a constant and steady source of wisdom and support in every aspect of life. He was a faithful Catholic throughout his life and a wonderful example to his family and friends. The quiet twinkle of Dick's eyes revealed the deep love that he had for his family and beloved friends and his gentle sense of humor made him a joy to be around.
Dick loved woodworking and carpentry and could build or fix almost anything. Many of the rooms in the family's homes were beautifully finished and furnished by his handiwork. Dick also loved spending time at the family's home in Freedom, New Hampshire, visiting beloved family in Ireland and many vacations to Hawaii.
Dick was the beloved husband of Hannah Christine (Desmond) Murphy of Wilmington. He was the loving father of Richard Murphy of Sterling, VA and Siobhan Murphy of Reading, MA. Dick was the cherished "Papa" to his grandson Sean Murphy of Reading, MA. He is survived by his sister Mary Patricia Vozzella and her husband Robert of Wilmington. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law Alice Skehan of Scituate, Mary Looney of Macroom, County Cork, Ireland, Esther O'Callaghan and her husband Henry of Lissarda, County Cork, Ireland, and many beloved nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Family and friends are invited to gather for Visiting Hours at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave (Rt. 62) Wilmington, MA, on Tuesday Oct. 14th from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Dorothy's Church, Main St. (Rt. 38), Wilmington, MA, on Wednesday Oct. 15th at 10:30 a.m. Internment with military honors to follow at Wildwood Cemetery in Wilmington, MA.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a charitable contribution to The Malden Catholic Fund, c/o Office of Advancement, 99 Crystal St., Malden, MA 02148.
To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit our website at www.nicholsfuneralhome.com
Services

Visitation
Tuesday
October 14, 2025
4:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Nichols Funeral Home
187 Middlesex Ave
Wilmington, MA 01887

Funeral Mass
Wednesday
October 15, 2025
10:30 AM
St. Dorothy's Church
Main Street, (Rte. 38)
Wilmington, MA 01887

Interment
Wednesday
October 15, 2025
11:45 AM
Wildwood Cemetery
233 Middlesex Ave.
Wilmington, MA 01887