JOHN HAROLD MURPHY
STETSON – John Harold Murphy, 90, passed away peacefully December 7, 2011 at a Bangor healthcare facility surrounded by family and friends. He was born May 31, 1921 in Bangor, a son of Clayton and Sarah (Decker) Murphy. He grew up in Bangor and attended schools there.

John loved telling stories about his childhood and the trouble that he and the Cote boys used to get into. The Cotes treated him like family. They took him in when he had nowhere to go in his early childhood. He held many jobs over his lifetime such as working in the woods, driving a milk truck, masonry, carpentry, painting and furniture moving, which is where he met the love of his life, Ruth Mayhew Francis. They married in 1965 and had twin girls, Sharlene and Carlene.

In 1967, another daughter Darlene was born. In 1971, the family moved to Stetson where John built a small farm to raise his family on. He had a special love for animals, especially dogs. After becoming disabled due to a crippling disease, he continued doing odd jobs to supplement the family income.

In addition to his wife of 47 years, he is survived by 3 daughters, Sharlene and husband Sam Hill, Sr. of Gardiner, Lauren and husband Daniel LaRochelle of Westbrook, and Darlene and husband Aaron Chadbourne of Palmyra; 6 grandchildren, Sam, Jr. and fiancée Ashley, Bryan and fianceé Amy, Amanda and companion Jonathan, Eliza, Shane and wife Nada, and Nathan; great grandchildren Dreams, Xavier, Camara, Cheyenne, Jaylee, and Jasmine; a step son George Francis of Newport; a step grand-daughter, Paula and husband Chris Thody of Athens; 3 step great grandchildren, Patricia, Rebecca and McKayla Thody, all of Athens. John will be sadly missed by a special niece, Suzanne and husband Dana Cushing of Pembroke; special friends, Dee Burpee and Billy Green, both of Brewer, Bobby and Helen Frappier of Bangor, and his hunting buddies, Karl Shillings, David Bates and Floyd Friedly, all of New Jersey.

John was predeceased by his brother Clayton E. Murphy, a half brother, Jim Murphy, and niece Sandra. He was also predeceased by Tino, Rod and Monty Cote, whom he considered his “brothers”.

At his request, there will be no funeral services. Spring interment will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Bangor, at the convenience of the family. A memorial gathering will be held from 3 to 6 PM Sunday, December 18th, at the Stetson Meeting House.

Donations may be made in his memory to the American Heart Association, 51 U. S. Route 1, Suite M, Scarborough, ME 04074. Arrangements are by Crosby & Neal, Newport. Those who wish may leave written condolences at www.CrosbyNeal.com.