Walter 'Doc' Murphy

August 24, 1920 - January 17, 2013

Walter Francis ‘Doc’ Murphy of Harvey’s Lake passed away on January 17, 2013 at the age of ninety-two. Born August 24, 1920, in the East End section of Wilkes-Barre he was a son of the late Frank and Mabel Jones Murphy, and was raised by his aunt, Jenney Murphy. Walter was a 1940 graduate of Coughlin High School. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1942. During World War II, he was stationed in the Pacific Theater on the Gilbert Islands. He received an honorable discharge in 1945, having attained the rank of Sergeant. Walter was a lifetime member of the American Legion. Following his service to his country, he worked for the Delaware & Hudson Railroad and retired with forty years of service. Following his retirement, he and wife Joan enjoyed traveling, particularly to his beloved Ireland, where he kissed the Blarney Stone. Doc attended Holy Savior Church in East End and was most recently an active member of Our Lady of Victory Parish at Harvey’s Lake. Doc was a generous and loving man. He especially enjoyed baseball and swimming in Harvey’s Lake. When not working, he took great pleasure in helping young kids learn about trains, baseball, swimming and “keeping out of trouble!” His wife, Joan Brenner Murphy died August 2, 2000. His sister, Mary Ada Murphy Lauer, brothers Francis, Calvin, and Stanley Murphy, and a niece, Carolyn Lauer Gallagher also preceded him in death. He will be greatly missed, but fondly remembered, by his many nieces and nephews, including, Louis F. Lauer of Reading, Marylou Lauer Lapallo of Alexandria, Virginia, Ann Lauer Swartwood of Scranton and Joan Kaufer Mall of Bridgeport, Connecticut; other family and friends. Walter’s entire family thanks Father Toomey and the Our Lady of Victory Parish community, his caregivers Terry and Charlie, and the staff of Hospice Community Care. Celebration of Walter’s Life will be held Monday with a Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM in the Church of Our Lady of Victory on Lakeside Drive at Harvey’s Lake. Interment will be in Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Hanover Township. Visitation will be held at McLaughlin’s – The Family Funeral Service, 142 South Washington Street in Wilkes-Barre on Sunday from 4 to 7 PM. Memorial donations are preferred and may be made to the Parish of Our Lady of Victory, 16 Second Street, Harvey’s Lake, 18618-3144. Permanent messages and memories can be share with Doc’s family at www.celebratehislife.com