Alfred Lawrence Murphy, 96, of Concord, Deacon of St. Bernard’s Church at Holy Family Parish, died peacefully at home while surrounded by family on Monday, August 28, 2023. He was the husband of the late JoEllen (Maliff) Murphy.
Born in Quincy on September 10, 1926, he was the son of the late James P. and Adrienne B. (Keefe) Murphy. He enlisted in the Navy during World War II, and was honorably discharged as a Sonarman. He received degrees from Boston College and Northeastern University. Al led a long career as an Engineer for MITRE Corporation.
Al’s dedication to the catholic church began at a young age. He taught CCD for years, and was ordained as a Deacon in 1988. He proudly performed the marriage ceremonies for his children and baptized all of his grandchildren. He was a Scout Master for Troop 169 in Concord and a life member of Musketaquid Sportsman’s Club. He will also be remembered as an outdoors enthusiast who loved surf fishing, camping and hiking.
He was the father of Paul Murphy and his wife Susan of Sturbridge, David Murphy and his wife Patricia of North Attleboro, Eileen Flannery and her husband Kevin of Concord, Sheila Murphy and her husband John of Brunswick, ME, Julianne Beyer and her husband Joseph of Concord, and Virginia Murphy of East Boston, and the grandfather to Caitlin Lonergan, Hillary, Meredith, Marlena, Teresa, and Jack Murphy, Ben and Cy Beyer and Michael Flannery. He also leaves behind his great grandchildren, PJ, Connor and Liam Lonergan, a sister, Alice Daigle and her husband Fred and numerous nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late James Murphy.
Family and friends will gather for visiting hours on Thursday, Aug. 31 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford St., Concord Center. His funeral will be held on Friday, Sept.1 at 9 a.m. from Dee Funeral Home, followed by a funeral Mass at 10 am in St. Bernard’s Church at Holy Family Parish, 12 Monument Square, Concord Center. Burial will follow with U.S. Navy military honors at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.
Concord’s Town Flag will fly at half-staff on September 1, 2023, in honor of Al’s faithful service during World War II.
Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord. To share a remembrance or to offer a condolence in his online guestbook, please visit www.DeeFuneralHome.com.
