John J. Murray Jr.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Jack moved to the Buffalo area as a young child. He went on to join the Air Force Bombardiers (40th Bomb Group) and served as a tail gunner during World War II.

Jack and his late wife of 60 years, Mary Ellen, were lifelong Buffalo Bills fans. When his sons were young, Jack founded and coached in the Shoshone Little League Football program in North Buffalo, which has grown to include over 300 children.

He was also a longstanding member of St. Rose of Lima Parish, where he served as a Home School Association President, co-chairman of the church building fund, and chairman of the Catholic Charities fund for the parish.

A former treasurer at Gibraltar Steel, Jack went on to found his own company, Clover Industries—the name a nod to his proud Irish heritage.

Jack and his family spent every summer at Long Beach, Ontario, where he and his late wife purchased a beach house more than 50 years ago. He was an avid golfer and member at the Cherry Hill Club.

Survivors include 2 daughters, Sue and Julie; 3 sons, John, Daniel, and James; 13 grandchildren—one of whom was just honored as the USA Hockey Disabled Athlete of the Year; and 6 (soon to be 8!) great grandchildren.

A service will be offered at 11AM Saturday at St. Rose of Lima Church, 500 Parker Avenue, Buffalo.

(above article written by the family of Jack Murray)

MURRAY - John Jr. “Jack”

June 23, 2015, age 89, beloved husband of the late Mary Ellen (Spaulding); dearest father of Sue (Paul) Metzen, John (Riya), Daniel, James, Julie (Andrew) Melton and the late Kathleen Murray; loving grandfather of 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; brother of the late Theresa Gould. Family will be present Friday from 4-8 PM at the PERNA, DENGLER, ROBERTS FUNERAL HOME, 1671 Maple Rd., Williamsville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Saturday at St. Rose of Lima RC Church, 500 Parker Ave., Buffalo, at 11 AM. Flowers gratefully declined. Memorials may be made to Western New York Physically-Challenged Youth Sports [email protected].

(above death notice published in The Buffalo News on June 25th and 26th, 2015)

John Murray Jr., WWII veteran founded Shoshone Little League Football

Feb. 21, 1926 – June 23, 2015

John “Jack” Murray Jr., a World War II veteran and founder of Shoshone Little League Football, died Tuesday in Williamsville. He was 89.

Born in Chicago, Mr. Murray moved to Buffalo as a child. He joined the 40th Bomb Group, and was a tailgunner in World War II.

Mr. Murray and the former Mary Ellen Spaulding, his late wife of 60 years, were avid Buffalo Bills fans. When his sons were young, Mr. Murray founded and coached the Shoshone Little League Football program in North Buffalo, which has grown to include more than 300 children.

“He was the life of every party. He had a good Irish sense of humor,” said Sue Metzen, his daughter. “He brought all of his children up to remember how important it is to volunteer and give your time to others. We were all brought up to the importance of giving back. He had a huge heart and helped everybody.”

He was a member of St. Rose of Lima Parish, where he served as Home School Association president, co-chairman of the church building fund and chairman of Catholic Charities for the parish.

A former treasurer at Gibraltar Steel, Mr. Murray went on to found his own company. In a nod to his Irish heritage, he named it Clover Industries.

Mr. Murray and his family spent every summer at Long Beach, Ont., where he and his wife bought a beach house 50 years ago.

He was also a golfer and member of the Cherry Hill Club.

He is survived by two daughters, Sue Metzen and Julie Melton; three sons, John, Daniel and James; 13 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in St. Rose of Lima Church, 500 Parker Ave., Buffalo.

(above obituary published in the Buffalo News on June 25, 2015)