Charles J. Murphy

Charles “Charlie” Joseph Murphy was born on September 28, 1933 to Charles and Irene Murphy in Boston, Massachusetts. He grew up in Wollaston, MA with his three sisters; Irene (deceased), Veronica and Bernice. Growing up, Charlie was an avid Boston sports fan.  He loved to play hockey and baseball (was devoted to his Bruins and Red Sox)and over the years attended many games at Fenway Park and Braves Field.

After graduating high school in 1951, Charlie enlisted in the United States Air Force as a Communications Specialist. He had the distinction of being one of the few airmen to attend the USAF basic training at Sampson Air Force Base in Seneca County, NY. Over his 21 year career in the USAF, Charlie faithfully and unselfishly served his country at a number of bases around the globe. These orders included: Linden Air Station in Germany, NORAD AFB in Colorado Springs, Izmir AFB in Turkey, Westover AFB in Massachusetts, Ramstein Air Base in Germany, two tours in Vietnam, Beale AFB in California and in 1972 retired as a Staff Sergeant at his home base of Westover in Massachusetts.

In 1972, Charlie began working in Management Analytics for the General Services Administration and married his first wife, Mary McElroy (deceased). The following year, Charlie’s only child, Charles John Murphy was born in June, 1973. A few years later, Charlie attended Mass Bay Community College and in 1977 received an Associates Degree in Business Management. He retired from the GSA in 1985 and went on to work for The Office of Veterans Services in the Commonwealth of MA as a Personnel Officer until 1990.

Charlie’s many years of service to his country came at a price. He suffered from the effects of Agent Orange as a result of his service in Vietnam. This in no way discouraged him from his involvement with many United States Veteran organizations. He was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion as well as a member of the Founders of the Statue of Liberty Museum.

Charlie later found his way to Idaho where he met and married the love of his life, Diane Lind. They married in California on 07/07/07 and he felt like the luckiest man alive! He stated that when they married, he had finally found peace and contentment. They enjoyed traveling together and were especially fond of their trips to Alaska. They traveled to California on a number of occasions to visit Diane’s children and grandchildren and enjoyed trips home to Boston to visit with family and old friends.

Charlie’s love of sports played a major role throughout his life. He was a diehard Boston and New England fan, but found love for his new local teams, the Idaho Steelheads and Boise Hawks. He was a season ticket holder for many years and the friendships gained in these venues were priceless.

Charlie will be deeply missed by his wife Diane, son Charles, grandchildren Hannah, Eva and OJ, sisters Veronica and Bernice, Diane’s children and grandchildren as well as the numerous friends that became family to him.