Robert John Murphy ‘Bob or Gizzy’, aged 80, of Malaga, New Jersey passed away on December 27th, 2018 at his home, surrounded by loved ones, after battling a long illness.
Robert was born in Gloucester City, New Jersey on November 5th, 1938. He graduated from Gloucester City High School. He married MarthaLynne Will on December 9th, 1967. He was a great and devoted family man and together they raised 4 children, Beth, John, Pamela Jo and Catherine. During their entire marriage, he ALWAYS treated her children, as his own natural children. He consistently made sure he was treating all the children equally and fairly. He never referred to them as his "step" children. He was a defender of his family, a true knight in shining armor, our hero. Robert was a devout Jehovah’s Witness since his baptism as such in February 1969 and he served as an elder in the Franklinville Congregation until his death. He strongly believed and his family takes comfort in the assurances from the Bible, that he is in a sleep like state, awaiting a resurrection to paradise earth.
Robert had an easy-going nature and a passion for making people around him feel special. You knew you had a special relationship with him when you got one of his famous nicknames. Children, or ‘Rugrats’ as they were known, loved him and this could be seen at all social functions. Robert worked hard to provide for his family as a Welder, Instructor and a tech at NJDMV. But his secular work never overshowed what was important to him, his faith, his keeping a good relationship with his God Jehovah and making sure that he took care of the needs of his family. During the first year after his baptism, he had approximately 12 different jobs, because he would not work during his religious meeting times. So he would lose his job. But he relied on Jehovah and soon found work, again. Robert also took joy in the simple things, such as playing his trumpet, fixing cars ("Yeah, don't worry about it, You don't need those extra bolts."), playing basketball out back, ‘hustling’ a game of pool, beating the pants off ya in double deck pinochle, messing with you at the bowling alley or just ‘bombing’ your hair. He also liked to travel; camping was always fun, cross county RVing was an adventure, cruising the islands and riding the coasters in Wildwood never had a dull moment. Robert will be remembered for his love, loyalty, kindness, charm, wit and wonderful sense of humor.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Norman and Anna and his siblings, Norman, Donald, Joan, Franklin ‘Skippy’ and his daughter Pamela Jo.
He is survived by his wife MarthaLynne ‘Mouger’; his 3 children, Beth (Michael), John (Michele) and Catherine (John); along with his grandchildren, Brianna (Ian), Shjon and Anthony ‘Mickey’; as well as his sister Norma and many nieces and nephews.
The family of Robert John Murphy wish to thank all the friends from the local congregations that have given their support to our family during Robert’s long illness. Additionally, we want to thank Lighthouse Hospice and their caring workers, Joan Ganser, Shran Coward, Jennifer Hollenbach, and Lois Halleck, for the four plus years of dedicated care of Robert and helping us keep him at home with family.
A Memorial Service will be held:
Saturday, January 5th, 2019 at 2:00 pm
Somerdale Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses
631 Somerdale Rd.
Blackwood, NJ 08012
Talbert Monroe will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Jehovah’s Witnesses at the website www.JW.org
