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June 8, 2017
John Joseph Murphy died on May 4 in San Mateo. He was 97. Born Feb. 18, 1920, to Irish immigrants, he attended St. James High School, San Francisco, fought in the Battle of the Bulge in Bütgenbach, Belgium, and worked 36 years for Pacific Telephone.He became a world traveler at age 90, traveling to Ireland, the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., and in 2016 he returned to Europe to visit the places where he saw battle.
He married Elizabeth May (Beth) Bartlett on July 20, 1941. In San Carlos they raised seven children: Timothy, John, Dennis, Kevin, Brother Joseph, Charles and Mary Rountree.
He also leaves behind grandchildren Rachael Rountree, Shane Collins, Elspeth Holland and John Murphy; great-grandchildren Kayley Ebaugh and Blake Collins.
A rosary will be said June 12 at 7 p.m. at St. Charles Church, San Carlos, with Mass the next day at 11 a.m. Burial will be private. Instead of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Mission Hospice & Home Care, 1670 S. Amphlett Blvd. #300, San Mateo, 94402.