John E. Murray

Salem, MA – John Edward Murray, 86, of Salem, MA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 1, 2020.

John was born to the late Thomas and Mona Murray on June 22, 1933 in Quincy, MA.  John graduated from North Quincy High School in 1951 where he was the class president and played varsity hockey. He joined the U.S. Army and worked as a hospital orderly and clerk. After his discharge from the Army he attended and graduated from Boston College in 1959 at the top of his class.  He attended Harvard University where he received an MBA in 1961.  He taught business and was appointed the first faculty position at the newly created Massasoit Community College in 1966 where he worked for 35 years as professor, department head and Dean of Faculty.

John was married to Marjorie Volpe Murray and lived in Brockton, MA and raised 5 children.  Later John married Yvonne Cote Earle and lived in Hanson, MA.  After his retirement, he spent 15 years living in Salem, MA and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, riding his motorcycle, sailing, and writing his many stories including a book Keep to the Left.  Most of all, John enjoyed telling stories to family, friends and anyone he met.

John sailed Snipes and Indian sailboats in Quincy Bay where he was a member of the Squantum Yacht Club. He cruised his Columbia-26 sailboat Rights of Man with his family for years along the New England coast.  Later in life he began motorcycling and took many cross-country trips with his wife Yvonne and riding friends as a member of the Yankee Beemers club.

John is survived by his wife Yvonne of Hanson, MA; ex-wife Marjorie Murray of Salem, MA; daughter Laura Montenegro of Tucson, AZ; sons Thomas and wife Marie of New York, NY; John and wife Nutcharee of Salem, MA; Patrick and wife Cathy of Scituate, MA; Peter of Bedford, MA; stepson Edmund and wife Jennifer of Millbury, MA; and grandchildren Eric, Andrew, Ryan, Matthew, Eva and Josephine.

A Celebration of Life for John will be held in April (to be announced).