Edwin P. Murray

Edwin Patrick Murray, 86, best known as Ed to his family and friends, and Pop to his beloved grandchildren, died Aug. 13, 2025, in Boston/South Weymouth, Massachusetts.

Visitation is scheduled for 3-6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, at McDonald Keohane Funeral Home – South, 809 Main St., Weymouth, MA, and Mass is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 22, at St. Mary of the Sacred Heart Church, 392 Hanover St., Hanover, MA. Cremation will take place after the ceremony with burial to follow at a later date.

Pallbearers include Matthew Edmond Murray, Daniel Patrick Murray, Gary Bruce Williamson, Thomas Joseph Murray, and John “Jack” Michael Murray.

Ed was born June 2, 1939, in Hoboken, New Jersey, to Edward and Marie Murray. He was raised in Union City, NJ, along with his three brothers, Gerald Edwin Murray, John “Jack” Michael Murray, and Thomas Joseph Murray. As an adolescent Ed cooked and sold food on the board walk at the Jersey Shore. As a child he served as a neighborhood paper boy, and later worked in a Christmas ornament factory. He and his brothers fondly recounted “desserts” consisting of white bread with butter and sugar.

Ed attended St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City, graduating in 1958. A proud Irishman, he earned his bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Notre Dame in 1962, and completed a masters in business administration from Rutgers in the late 1960s.

Fittingly, it was at a St. Patrick’s Day party when he was introduced to Diane Knoeppel, who had been invited to the party by a friend who wanted to introduce her to Ed. Diane recalls warming up to the idea of a set up after her first peek at Ed.

While courting Diane, Ed lived in South New Jersey and commuted to spend time with his future bride in Manhattan. On July 6, 1968, in Bronxville, NY, they were married. They celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary last month.

Their daughter, Christine Marie, was born June 25, 1969, in Willingboro, NJ, and the young family eventually settled in Long Valley, NJ, where they were joined on April 2, 1977, by twin sons, Daniel Patrick and Matthew Edmond. The family made their home in Long Valley for 50 years, before Ed and Diane retired to South Weymouth, MA.

Ed was involved with ROTC while a student at Notre Dame, and served in post-World War II Germany as a member of the Unites States Army following graduation. He continued his service for as a member as a member of the Army reserves following that assignment.

His professional career included employment with the Olivetti Typewriter Company, Jelco Laboratories, and MedTech, where he worked for his longtime friend and colleague, George Blank. Ed retired from MedTech as the vice president of human resources.

Baptized into the Roman Catholic Church, he was a lifelong devout member, first serving as a choir boy, and later serving as a Sunday School teacher at Our Lady of the Mountain in Long Valley for many years. Even when traveling, Ed always found a local church to attend.

A lifelong scholar, Ed was an avid reader, particularly on the topics of history and politics. He closely followed the news and goings-on of the world. After moving to Fairing Way, he led a Great Decisions conversation group, served on the finance committee, organized Saturday night movies, and even dabbled in cornhole. He was also a part of the sound and audiovisual team at Fairing Way.

To his four grandchildren, Ed was Pop. He was an active and involved grandfather, traveling with Diane to participate in every activity they could. In a special show of stamina, he helped his oldest granddaughter, Chloe, move too many times to count, in and out of four years of dorm rooms and many years of Boston apartments, including on the second and third stories. Whether it was soccer, baseball, school plays, graduations and so much more, when Ed and Diane could be there cheering on their grandchildren, they were. If Ed found a bench and dozed off for a quick nap now and again, it was only to refuel for the next round of support.

Ed will always be remembered for his consideration and kindness. He was always the last to de-board an airplane out of deference to other passengers. At a chaotic family gathering, he would find a quiet corner and share a book with his toddler grandchildren, providing an island of calmness. He believed his family members could do anything they put their mind to, and generously shared encouragement and sound advice. With a warm smile and mischievous twinkle in his eyes, he also had an almost magical ability to make a quick exit and slip undetected from a room.

Diane is especially grateful to Christine, Dan, and Matt, for their love, support, and comfort during the final days of Ed’s life.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Marie Murray, an infant son, Brian Murray in 1972, and his brother, Gerald Edwin Murray.

Survivors include his wife, Diane Murray of South Weymouth, MA; a daughter and son-in-law, Christine and Gary Williamson of New Jersey; two sons and daughters-in-law, Daniel and Alicia Murray of Hanover, MA, and Matthew and Amanda Murray of Fredericksburg, VA; four grandchildren, Chloe Williamson (and wife Caroline Bandurska) of Bronx, NY, William Patrick Murray of Hanover, MA, and Keira Joy Murray and Thomas “Tommy” Samuel Murray of Fredericksburg, VA; and two brothers and a sister-in-law, John “Jack” Michael Murray of Queens, NY, and Tom and Joan Murray of Queens, NY.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Peter’s Prep General Fund, 144 Grand St., Jersey City, NJ 07302 (https://spprep.org/giving/make-a-gift/) and Our Lady of the Angels Parish, 392 Hanover St., Hanover, MA 02339 (https://ourladyshanover.com/).

Arrangements are under the direction of McDonald Keohane Funeral Home – South of South Weymouth, MA.