Paul Jerome Murray

Paul Jerome Murray, of Hingham, MA, and originally from Dorchester, passed away peacefully on September 9, 2024, surrounded by his family. He will be remembered for his unwavering Catholic faith, love of family, and patriotism. He had a wonderful sense of humor, and he was particularly known for his witty one-liners.

Paul was the beloved son of the late Frederick and Margaret Murray. Raised on Butler Street in Dorchester Lower Mills, he was the middle son of five boys. His brothers remained his best friends throughout his life. His greatest joy was meeting and marrying a beautiful nurse named Jean Riley. When they met in Georgetown, he instantly realized his bachelor days were over. Throughout their six decades together, Paul and Jean raised 4 children, fully enjoyed their 12 grandchildren, and were further blessed with 5 great-grandchildren. After living for a few years in Washington D.C. and New Jersey, they happily returned to the Boston area and resided in Hingham for 32 years. In retirement, they enjoyed living in Cape Cod and Naples, FL before spending more recent years back in Hingham.

Paul attended St Gregory’s grammar school in Dorchester, and he was especially pleased to have followed in his father’s footsteps, graduating from Boston Latin High School (Class of 1949). After graduating from Boston College in 1953, he attended Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI and was commissioned a Naval Officer. He served aboard the Destroyer Escort USS Tweedy as a communication and gunnery officer from 1954-1957. For the next 36 years, Paul’s sales career with IBM took him from Concord, NH, to Langley, VA, to New York City and ultimately back to Boston. Throughout his IBM career, he was a pioneer in applying advances in technology to solve emerging government and business challenges. Of significance was his implementation of the CIA’s original computer systems, the first 911 emergency call system in New York City, and the creation of a database system for Major League Baseball statistics. Throughout his almost 93 years, he formed deep and lasting friendships - maintaining close ties with many of his childhood friends, fellow Eagles, co-workers, golf and tennis buddies, and neighbors. 

Paul was an avid sports fan, enjoying everything from football games in Washington D.C. to all kinds of youth, high school, and college sports. He was especially fond of cheering for the Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins. Much to the delight of his children and their friends, Paul and Jean enjoyed hosting lively tailgaters as enthusiastic fans at Boston College and Navy football games. A dedicated grandfather, affectionately known as Pops, he thoroughly enjoyed being his grandchildren’s #1 fan, traveling coast to coast and internationally to be a part of their sporting events, music concerts and milestone moments. A humble and gentle man, Paul always enjoyed the simple things in life. Wiffle ball games on the beach, family pond hockey games, happy hours filled with laughter, having an ability to sing along to almost any song, and even yardwork, were pleasures he was very grateful for. He frequently spoke about how fortunate he was in life, and he met each and every day with a smile on his face.

Paul leaves behind the love of his life, his wife Jean (Riley). He was the father of Patrick Murray and his wife Stacey of Bay Village, Ohio; Ann Buck and her husband Paul of Peachtree City, GA; Lisa Kent and her husband Tom of Hingham, MA; and Tom Murray and his wife Julie of Newburyport, MA. Pops cherished his grandchildren: Jack and Sam Murray; Michael, Mark, and Brian Buck, Katie Buck Chapman; Stephen, Maureen, Charlie, and Danny Kent; and Meg and Matt Murray. His great-grandchildren Emma, Luke, and Sofia Buck; Charlotte and Paul Chapman. Paul’s family takes great comfort in knowing the Butler Street Murray brothers are all together again as he is now reunited with his best friends Reverend Frederick Murray, Robert Murray, Richard Murray and William Murray.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visiting hours on Sunday, September 15, 2024, 2-6 PM in the Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, 21 Emerald St. (off Central St.), HINGHAM. 

A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the funeral home at 9 AM on Monday, September 16, 2024, prior to the Funeral Mass in St. Paul’s Church, Hingham at 10 AM. 

Paul will be interred privately in the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne.

DUE TO CEMETERY FLORAL RESTRICTIONS: In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to Paul's dear cousin Sister Kathie Shea's continual service to the Medical Missions of Mary, a Catholic institution dedicated to providing healthcare to underdeveloped regions of the world, by clicking here, or by mail: 179 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA 02143.