John Murray

John (Jack) Francis Murray, 85, of Norwood, NJ died Tuesday, August 15, 2023. Jack was born to William and Mary Murray on January 13, 1938, in Jersey City, NJ. He met the love of his life, Patricia Marie Murray (nee O’Rourke), at a CYO dance and the two were inseparable from that point on. They married in 1962 and were blessed with four children, Trisha Hagstrom (Karl), Jill, James (Stefanie) and Jennifer Fischer (Jonathan). After raising their children in Bergenfield, NJ and Rockville, MD, Jack and Pat retired to Monroe, NJ. They spent 59 wonderful years together, setting a beautiful example to their children to love and cherish family and never stop holding hands.

While working full-time and being a devoted son, husband and father, he spent his evenings at Seton Hall University, earning his degree in 1965. Jack proudly retired in 2009 as an Executive Director of a chemical trade association in Washington, D.C. and returned to NJ to be closer to their family and lifelong friends.

Among Jack’s greatest pleasures were his family and faith. His children’s fondest memories of their dad are hearing him cheering loudly at their sporting events, vacations on the Jersey shore, Sunday drives to nowhere, 4am coveted trips to Dunkin Donuts, and watching him dance with his Patty. Throughout his extraordinary life, he was fortunate to travel the world with his wife, enjoy lifelong dear friends, teach his grandchildren to play baseball, and instill the gift of laughter and humor that will live on for generations.

Jack was preceded by his wife, Patricia, his parents, and older brothers, William and Jerry. In addition to his children and their spouses, he is survived by his grandchildren, Christopher, Rory, Stephanie, Colin, Tess, John, Michael, Matthew, Katherine and his great-granddaughters, Harper, Hope and Hazel, each of whom brought him great joy and happiness.

Visitation will be Sunday, August 20, 2023, from 1-5pm at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, NJ. Funeral Mass will be Monday, August 21, 2023, at 10am at St. John The Evangelist R.C. Church, 29 Washington Avenue, Bergenfield, NJ. Burial will follow in George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s name to Alzheimer’s Association of New Jersey, 400 Morris Avenue, Suite 251, Denville, NJ 07834 or @ alznj.org/donate.