Jay Arthur Murphy

Jay Arthur Murphy, 89, of Whitefield NH died after a long fight with Alzheimer’s disease on August 30 th , 2025, surrounded by his children.

Jay was born at home on May 8 th , 1936, in Conemaugh, PA to Paul Jay Murphy and Mary (Long) Murphy. His siblings were Paul Murphy Jr. and David Murphy. He married his wife of 68 years, Barbara Ann Keiper in Altoona, PA on October 23 rd , 1956. Jay enlisted in the Navy and was stationed in both Charleston, NC and Pensacola, FL. Jay completed a tour of duty around the Mediterranean aboard the USS Dominant MSO-431.

After being discharged from the Navy, Jay and Barbara moved to Johnstown, PA where Jay began pursuing a degree in electrical engineering. He took a technician job with the FAA in Barnes Airport based in Westfield, MA where he would work for the next 11 years. After completing his degree in electrical engineering from Western New England College in 1970, he then took a job at the FAA Center in Burlington, MA and moved his family to Salem, New Hampshire. In 1976, Jay was transferred to the FAA Center in Bangor, ME and the family moved to Levant, ME. In 1985 Jay and Barbara moved to Nashua, New Hampshire to the FAA Center where he retired in 2000. Jay then went on to work in Washington DC as a consultant for Martin Marietta. In 2002, Jay and Barbara moved to Sarasota, Florida where Jay could focus on his love of golf. In 2023 due to declining health, they moved to the Summit by Morrison to be closer to family.

Jay and Barbara were devout Baptists and very involved in church life. They were parishioners of Central Baptist in Westfield, MA, First Baptist in Salem, NH, Village Baptist Church in Levant, ME, and Sarasota Baptist Church in Sarasota, FL. Jay was a Deacon and he and Barbara both sang in the choir. They traveled extensively with the church choir and missionary outreach programs.

Jay was predeceased by his parents, Paul and Mary Murphy, and his brother Paul and Paul’s wife Nancy. Jay is survived by his wife Barbara at the Summit by Morrison in Whitefield, NH, brother David and wife Judy of Montpelier, VT, son Daniel and wife Lori-Anne of Bethlehem, NH, daughter Jayne and husband Steve of Hermon, ME, and son Shawn and wife Christine of Kennebunk, ME. He is also survived by grandchildren Madison, Hannah, Amelia, Morgan, Casey, Delaney, and Patric, along with 9 great-grandchildren.

A Military Service and burial at New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org. Those wishing to express condolences may mail cards to Barbara Murphy c/o Dan Murphy 116 Pinewood Avenue, Bethlehem, NH 03574.

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