Obituary of Francis A Murphy

Francis (“Frank”) Aden Murphy, 89, of Cranston, RI, former longtime resident of Halifax, MA, died peacefully in his sleep with family by his side on Tuesday, October 10, 2023.

Frank was born in 1934 in Woburn, MA, the older son of the late Aden and Hanora (Foley) Murphy of Woburn, MA. Frank graduated from Boston College High School and then Boston College in 1955.Sixty years ago Frank met his future wife Kathryn “Kay” while working at the landmark Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods, NH. In 1964, Kay and Frank married and eventually settled in Halifax, MA where they raised four children together. Frank was a devout Catholic. He was an active member of Our Lady of the Lake Church Parish in Halifax, MA, where he served regularly as a Eucharistic Minister. He also served actively in the local chapter of the Knights of Columbus where he led the local chapter as the Grand Knight. Frank was a lifelong avid golfer. He played as often as he could, always balancing his responsibilities to his family and his work. In 1966 he began a 37-year career as the Golf Course Superintendent at the Country Club of Halifax. Some of his children’s fondest memories include time spent on and around the golf course with their father. In 2003 after Frank’s retirement, Frank and Kay traveled the country several times in their RV, as well as trips to Ireland and Scotland. Their favorite stops in their RV were their daughter Stephanie’s home in Portland, OR, as well as Dollywood, historical sites and any fun casino. Frank and Kay had the move-in sequence down to about five minutes, from pulling into the RV parking space to when they sat down with their Manhattans. They also loved meeting fellow travelers in various RV parks around the country. Frank always loved family gatherings when his children and grandchildren, their spouses, and later great-grandchildren would gather to share time together. He’ll be remembered for his sharp wit, endless font of Dad-isms, and fantastic sense of humor. Loved ones will cherish the memories of when “Frank is having a spasm”. He would laugh so hard he could hardly breathe or move for several moments.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the caring and attentive staff at the communities where Frank and Kay resided for their last four years together: Brookdale Sakonnet Bay in Tiverton, RI; Grace Barker Health Center in Warren RI; and most recently Cra-Mar Meadows in Cranston, RI. Special thanks also to the staff at Harmony Hospice who made Frank’s last months so peaceful and dignified, and to the staff at Hope Health’s Hulitar Hospice Center in Providence, RI where Frank rested for his last few days.

Frank was predeceased by just 71 days by his loving wife Kay. In their sixty years together, they were really only ever apart for these ten weeks. Frank is also predeceased by Kay’s sister Jean (LaBar) Patterson, Jean’s husband Robert J. Patterson, Kay’s brother Harvey and Harvey’s wife Rose M. (Pucci) LaBar, Frank’s sister-in-law Carol (Ericson) LaBar, wife of Francis “Jack” LaBar. Frank always held a special place in his heart for his granddaughter Rachel Murphy who predeceased him by eleven years to the day. Survivors include his son Stephen “Steve” (Jorge) of Swansea, MA; son Vincent “Bing” (Robin) of Canton, CT, daughter Stephanie of Portland, OR, son Francis “Frank” (Elisa) of Millville, MA; seven grandchildren; four great grandchildren; his brother Edward “Teddy” Murphy (Mary) of Haverhill, MA; along with many nieces and nephews.

Visitation service will be held from 8:30am to 10:30am on Wednesday, October 18 at Shepherd Funeral Home, 216 Main Street, Kingston, MA. Funeral services will be held at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 1 Maquan Street, Hanson, MA on Wednesday, October 18 at 11am. Burial will follow at Halifax Central Cemetery, 60 Hemlock Lane, Halifax, MA with a reception to follow at Our Lady of the Lake.

In lieu of flowers, and to help care for future families in need, memorial donations may be made to the Hope Health Hulitar Hospice Center at 1085 North Main Street, Providence RI 02904