Donald L. Murray

Donald Lawrence Murray, 83, of Milton, MA, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family, on August 22, 2018. Born in Boston, to Mary (Stevens) and Joseph Murray, he lived most of his life in Hyde Park, Dorchester and Milton.

Don is survived by his beloved wife, Lisa (Patterson), son, Timothy J. Murray, (BPD Captain Ret.) of Canton, daughter in law Doreen Murray of Walpole, sister Judith Dacey of Quincy and pre-deceased by his daughter, Anne Marie Diorio, and brother James Murray. Don was the loving grandfather to Jeanna and Jarred Diorio, Donny and Ryan Murray and leaves many nieces, nephews and numerous family members and friends.

Don was a passionate, outgoing and charismatic man. Well into his seventies, he was a competitive athlete and coach. Don was a career Boston Police Officer of 42 years, a founding member, long standing and passionate Representative of the Boston Police Patrolman’s Association (BPPA).  Later as both the President and Vice President of the BPPA, Don helped bring many safety advancements and highly successful contracts to its membership. During his last decade on the BPD as a Hospital Liaison, Don helped hundreds of Boston Police Officers, active and retired, and their families in their times of pain and loss.

Don’s love of competitive sports began at Hyde Park High. Foregoing college sport scholarships, Don enlisted in the US Navy and proudly served his country during the Korean War and became a DAV.

During his time on the BPD, Don traveled both nationally and internationally successfully representing the Boston Police, in both the International Law Enforcement Games and the World Police & Fire Olympics. Don also helped to start and coach the BPD’s Fast Pitch Softball Team, raising money for the Jimmy Fund, and was one of the founding members of the Boston Police Runner’s Club.

An avid runner, Don was a well-known fixture at Massachusetts road races for many decades competing in hundreds of races and 23 Marathons. Following his retirement from the BPD, Don was Suffolk University’s Cross Country Coach for 10 seasons. During those years, Don passed along his lifelong passion for physical fitness to his runners.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours on Monday,  August 27, 2018 from 4- 8 PM at the Keohane Funeral Home, 785 Hancock Street, Quincy.  A Celebration of Life service will be held on Tuesday at 9:45am in the funeral home prior to the Funeral Mass in St. Agatha’s Parish, 432 Adams Street in Milton, on August 28, at 10:30 AM.

Don will be laid to rest at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Don may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090 or Paralyzed Veterans of America, 7 Mill Brook Road, Wilton, NH 03086.  

 “To Live in the Hearts, of Those You Leave Behind, is Not to be Forgotten”