Obituary of Robert Murray

Robert T. Murray, 82, of Tucson, AZ died suddenly after a brief illness on Dec. 11. Bob grew up in Brighton, MA. He served in the US Army from 1951-1953 as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne. He married Vera (Conway) in 1953. They moved to Burlington, MA and raised their six children. Bob graduated from Mass College of Art in 1958 while working for Northeast airlines, which merged into Delta Airlines. He retired after 35 years of service and spent his 22-year retirement traveling extensively throughout the US and internationally. During this time he founded and organized the 508 chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division, serving as chairman for many years. Bob created the design that was selected for the Korean War memorial in Tucson. He organized and attended numerous reunions of the Airborne chapters around the country. Bob was a great historian, a lover of music and art, and the Wild West, eventually moving to his home in Tucson permanently in 2000. He was a proud, fascinating, fun father and grandfather, and treasured his many friends. He recently toured Ireland with his beloved O’Brien cousins; and celebrated the 60th anniversary of D-Day with his ‘band of brothers’ in Normandy and London. He loved his life, his family, his friends and most of all his country. He is survived by his children, Cathy Lee & her husband Bobby of Naples FL, Marianne Murray of Santa Barbara CA, Roberta Yarnall & her husband Roger of Boise ID, Michelle O’Neill of Burlington MA, Colleen Patterson & her husband Prentice of Paso Robles CA, Tom Murray & his wife Lisa of Bedford NH and his former wife Vera of Newport ME. He was GrandBob of Tom and Danielle Lane, Justin Lee, Shannon O’Neill, Tyler and Nicholas Murray and great grandfather of Tommy Lane and Zackary O’Neill. Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Friday, Jan. 7 from 5 – 8 p.m. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington on Saturday, January 8 at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends respectfully invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s memory to your local hospice or Casa de la Luz Foundation, 400 West Magee Road, Tucson AZ 85704