1919
Edward
2011
Edward J. Furphy
December 31, 1919 — September 29, 2011
Edward J. Furphy, 91, of Upton, died Thursday, September 29, 2011, in St. Camillus Health Center in Northbridge after a long illness. A retired teacher, he was the husband of Edna M. (Sansoucie) Furphy.
Mr. Furphy was born in Clinton, the son of the late Henry and Catherine (Fitzgerald) Furphy. He was a 1937 graduate of Clinton High School and a World War II Navy veteran. He earned degrees from the College of the Holy Cross and Worcester State College and had been a resident of Upton since 1949.
Mr. Furphy was an elementary school teacher in Upton, Mendon, Grafton, and Hopedale, retiring from the Mendon-Upton Regional School District in 1982. A dedicated teacher, he also worked as a school administrator but later returned to the classroom. He was a communicant and lector at Holy Angels Parish in Upton, sang in its choir, and served as chair of both the Parish Council and the Social Activities Committee for many years.
A talented vocalist, he was a long-time member of the Blue Skies Quartet of the Worcester Men of Song, hosted a barbershop quartet radio show on WMRC Radio in Milford, and wrote a column entitled "The Songs We Used To Sing" for the Upton and Mendon Town Crier.
He was also chair of the Upton Heritage Committee for 18 years, a member of the Blackstone Valley Heritage Committee, a member and past secretary of the George L. Wood V.F.W. Post, and a poll worker in Upton. A founder of the Upton Men's Bowling League, he was a Cubmaster and member of the town's Boy Scout Committee for years and coached a championship youth baseball team prior to the formation of the Upton Youth Club. Known to local schoolchildren as "Johnny Patriot," he was instrumental in conducting the Constitution Day program at Memorial School for many years. He especially enjoyed gardening.
At St. Camillus Health Center, he was an elected member of the Residents' Council representing Farrell Haven and a member of the Food Committee.
In addition to his wife of 61 years, he leaves a son, Paul Furphy and his wife Doreen of Milford; two daughters, Virginia Giuliani and her husband Ralph of Upton, and Christine Normandin and her husband Gary of Happy Valley, Alaska; a sister Marion Cucchi of Clinton; three grandchildren, Erica Giuliani and Jesse and Traci Normandin; and a great-grandson Connor Gossman. Another son, Robert E. Furphy, died in 1971 at age 7. He was also the brother of the late Eleanor O'Toole.
If desired, memorial donations may be made to the St. Camillus Activities Fund, 447 Hill Street, Whitinsville 01588, or to the St. Gabriel the Archangel Building Fund, 151 Mendon Street, Upton 01568.
from the Williams-Pedersen Funeral Home, 45 Main Street, Upton,
with a funeral mass at 10 a.m. in the new St. Gabriel the Archangel Church,
151 Mendon Street, Upton.
Burial with military honors will follow in Lakeview Cemetery.
Calling hours at the funeral home are Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Mr. Furphy was born in Clinton, the son of the late Henry and Catherine (Fitzgerald) Furphy. He was a 1937 graduate of Clinton High School and a World War II Navy veteran. He earned degrees from the College of the Holy Cross and Worcester State College and had been a resident of Upton since 1949.
Mr. Furphy was an elementary school teacher in Upton, Mendon, Grafton, and Hopedale, retiring from the Mendon-Upton Regional School District in 1982. A dedicated teacher, he also worked as a school administrator but later returned to the classroom. He was a communicant and lector at Holy Angels Parish in Upton, sang in its choir, and served as chair of both the Parish Council and the Social Activities Committee for many years.
A talented vocalist, he was a long-time member of the Blue Skies Quartet of the Worcester Men of Song, hosted a barbershop quartet radio show on WMRC Radio in Milford, and wrote a column entitled "The Songs We Used To Sing" for the Upton and Mendon Town Crier.
He was also chair of the Upton Heritage Committee for 18 years, a member of the Blackstone Valley Heritage Committee, a member and past secretary of the George L. Wood V.F.W. Post, and a poll worker in Upton. A founder of the Upton Men's Bowling League, he was a Cubmaster and member of the town's Boy Scout Committee for years and coached a championship youth baseball team prior to the formation of the Upton Youth Club. Known to local schoolchildren as "Johnny Patriot," he was instrumental in conducting the Constitution Day program at Memorial School for many years. He especially enjoyed gardening.
At St. Camillus Health Center, he was an elected member of the Residents' Council representing Farrell Haven and a member of the Food Committee.
In addition to his wife of 61 years, he leaves a son, Paul Furphy and his wife Doreen of Milford; two daughters, Virginia Giuliani and her husband Ralph of Upton, and Christine Normandin and her husband Gary of Happy Valley, Alaska; a sister Marion Cucchi of Clinton; three grandchildren, Erica Giuliani and Jesse and Traci Normandin; and a great-grandson Connor Gossman. Another son, Robert E. Furphy, died in 1971 at age 7. He was also the brother of the late Eleanor O'Toole.
If desired, memorial donations may be made to the St. Camillus Activities Fund, 447 Hill Street, Whitinsville 01588, or to the St. Gabriel the Archangel Building Fund, 151 Mendon Street, Upton 01568.
Service Details
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, October 4, 2011from the Williams-Pedersen Funeral Home, 45 Main Street, Upton,
with a funeral mass at 10 a.m. in the new St. Gabriel the Archangel Church,
151 Mendon Street, Upton.
Burial with military honors will follow in Lakeview Cemetery.
Calling hours at the funeral home are Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
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