John F. "Red" Murphy Jr. passed away at the Arnold House in Stoneham on December 2, 2014. He was 82 years of age. Red was born in Melrose on May 7, 1932 to the late John & Ida Murphy, he was raised in Melrose and graduated from Melrose High School in 1950. Mr. Murphy served his country with pride in the US Army with the 82nd Airborne during the Korean War. John lived in Melrose most of his life before moving to Stoneham 15 years ago. Mr. Murphy worked for the New England Telephone Company for 31 years in the install repair department and then as a manager, retiring in 1987. He was also a member of the New England Telephone Pioneers. Red dedicated himself to the City of Melrose for many years; as an Alderman for 13 years, was instrumental in raising money to create the Korean War Memorial in front of the Coolidge Apartments, raising money for the Lincoln School playground and starting a group to clean up the Ell Pond area of Melrose. He was also a volunteer at Lincoln School, coached baseball & basketball, coached girls softball and helped start the CYO Boxing Program in Melrose. Red loved spending time with his family during the summer at Goose Rocks Beach in Kennebunkport, Maine. He was a great swimmer and always loved going to Suffolk Downs where he met many friends. Red was the beloved husband of 59 years to Margaret (Travalini) Murphy. Loving father of Susan McBrine & her husband Richard of Melrose, Dominic Murphy & his wife Michelle of Swansea, Jeannette Murphy of Stoneham, Joseph Murphy & his wife Judy of Melrose and Martha Luther & her husband Randall of Durham, CT. Proud grandfather of Richard "Mack" McBrine, Margaret "Maggie" Cefalo & her husband Nicholas, Elizabeth Macdonald & her husband Nick, Kelly, Jill & Joseph Murphy, Andrea, Jeremy & Andrew Murphy and EJ & Alison Luther. Brother of the late Edward J. Murphy. Also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral from the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St. Melrose on Saturday, December 6th at 8:45AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in The Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main St. Wakefield at 10AM. Relatives & friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours at the funeral home on Friday from 4:00-8:00PM. US Army Korean War Veteran. Burial at Wyoming Cemetery in Melrose. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Stoneham Food Pantry, 1 Church St. Stoneham, MA 02180.