Eugene T. (Gene) Murphy 1922 ~ 2012

Eugene T. (Gene) Murphy passed away in Anacortes, Washington on June 9, 2012.

He was born on January 31, 1922 in Buffalo, New York to Elizabeth and Joseph Murphy. The family lived in Buffalo until Gene was five when they moved to South Orange, New Jersey. He graduated from Columbia High School and Seton Hall University.

His college years were interrupted by his service in the Army Air Corps during WW II. After graduation, Gene worked for Van Nostrand Publishing in New York City until he moved to Richland, Washington in 1949. He worked as a Communications Specialist at the Hanford Plant until his retirement in 1977.

Gene and his wife Virginia spent three years in Tucson, AZ until they moved to Anacortes, WA in 1980.

He was involved in environmental affairs and co-founded the Skagit Land Trust. Gene was active in Friends of the Forest where he was instrumental in getting the Anacortes Forest Lands into the land trust. He was also active in Audubon Society, Sierra Club, and St. Mary Catholic Church in Anacortes.

His parents and his brothers, Joseph and Michael Murphy preceded him in death.

Gene is survived by his wife, Virginia of 38 years; sons, Sean (Carole) Murphy, Danny (Ann) Bowling, and Mark James Bowling; daughters, Paulette Murphy and Deborah Lee (Mark) Henderson; grandchildren, Katharine Murphy, Meghan Murphy, Nathan Bowling, Hannah (Rory) Hanley, and Sarah Bowling; numerous nieces; one nephew; and his sister, Helen Fitzpatrick.

Rosary Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 14, 2012 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Anacortes. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 15, 2012 at St. Mary Catholic Church, followed by a reception in the Fr. Auer Center. Interment will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 16, 2012 at Grand View Cemetery in Anacortes.

Memorials may be made to the Skagit Land Trust, Friends of the Forest, St. Mary Catholic Church, or to a charity of choice.

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of Gene, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.
story created on Wednesday 6/13/2012 at 11:13:30 am by Joan Pringle
story modified on Wednesday 6/13/2012 at 11:13:38 am by Joan Pringle