Joseph Murphey

Joseph Collins Murphey, age 90, formerly of Fairview, passed away Saturday, December 12, 2020, at St. Vincent Health Center.

Joe was born in Rossville, Tenn. on February 3, 1930, a son of the late James Farley and Lucille (Boswell) Murphey. He was raised on the family farm. Joe graduated first in his class from Collierville (Tenn.) High School in 1948. After serving his country in the U.S. Air Force, he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tennessee in 1957. He worked as an engineer for several companies, most notably Westinghouse Electric in Baltimore and Pittsburgh and then National Fuel Gas in Warren and Erie, retiring in 1994.

For over 20 years, Joe and his wife were snowbirds in Bradenton, Fla., where they made many great friends and enjoyed attending Pittsburgh Pirates spring training games. He was a long-time member of Fairview United Methodist Church, serving on many committees.

Joe truly loved and lived for his family. He and Rosemary were inseparable. He coached little league baseball, and almost never missed one of his childrens’, and then his grandchildrens’, athletic, academic or music events.

In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Carolyn Murphey, his older brother, James F. “Buddy” Murphey, Jr., of Somerville, Tennessee, and his older sister, Mary Neil Hale of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Joe is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Rosemary (Lacey) Murphey, whom he married on June 15, 1957; a daughter, Claudia (David) Ernst of Arlington, Va.; and three sons, Christopher  (Beth) Murphey, of Manchester Tenn., Craig (Jill) Murphey and Curt (Ellen) Murphey, both of Fairview. He is further survived by 13 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the Burton Funeral Home, 525 Main St. East, Girard, on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 from 11 a.m. until the time of service there at 1 p.m. with Reverend Dennis Miller, officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery with full military honors. 

The service will be livestreamed for public viewing at https://facebook.com/BurtonFuneralHomesAndCrematoryInc.

All CDC guidelines will be followed, capacity limits, social distancing and masks are required.

Memorials may be made to the Fairview School Foundation (Murphey Family Scholarship Fund), 7466 McCray Rd, Fairview, Pa. 16415.