In Taunton — Robert T. (“Jake” or “Bob”) Murphy of 42 Kilton Street, beloved father and grandfather, died on April 28, 2013 at the Belmont Manor Nursing Home in Belmont, Massachusetts. He was 86 years old. A Taunton native and lifelong resident, Mr. Murphy was the son of the late George B. and Mary C. Scanlon Murphy and brother of the late George E. Murphy. He was valedictorian of the class of 1944 of Monsignor James Coyle High School. In World War II he was a driver with the 79th Amphibian Tractor Company; after the war, Mr. Murphy went to Boston College on the G.I. Bill and graduated with honors with the class of 1950. He went on to receive his Master’s degree from Bridgewater State College. Mr. Murphy was appointed as a teacher in 1953 at Hopewell School and thereafter served at Maxham, Walker, Cohannet, and Leonard schools. At Leonard, he served as eighth-grade teacher and Assistant Principal, a position he filled afterwards at Mulcahey School. There he succeeded the late Charles McManus as Principal before retiring in 1985. He loved cultivating flowers in his garden, writing and illustrating letters to his daughters, and smoking his English Corona cigars. He was a truly devoted fan of Boston sports. A dedicated golfer, Mr. Murphy was a longtime member of the Segregansett Country Club. Mr. Murphy is survived by two daughters: Meredith Murphy of Watertown, Massachusetts and Janna Murphy Schmidt of Dublin, California. He is also survived by two young grandchildren, Noelle and Kai Schmidt. Services will be held at the O’Keefe-Wade Funeral Home, 70 Washington Street, in Taunton on Tuesday, April 30 day at 11AM. Calling hours will be from 10 to 11AM. Interment will be at the St. Francis Cemetery in Taunton. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be sent to the Rose Hawthorne Lathrop Home at 1600 Bay Street, Fall River, Mass, and the Friends of the Taunton Public Library.
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