Obituary of Charles E. Murray

Charles Edwin Murray, of Carver, a long-time leader in veterans’ affairs and a driving force in creating a floating museum on the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, died October 13, 2008. Mr. Murray took great pride in his family, his country, the Navy and military veterans and gave selflessly of himself to help the people and institutions in his life. He was a member and officer of many veterans’ organizations and was one of two retired enlisted men named Director Emeritus of the Yorktown Association, an honor he cherished because of his dedication to the ship and its new mission as a museum since 1975 at Patriot’s Point in Charleston, S.C. Mr. Murray was born July 20, 1924, to Charles Augustas Murray and Argia Cavicchi in Kingston, MA. At age 17, Mr. Murray enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the South Pacific, surviving kamikaze attacks and engagements including the battle of Philippine Sea, the Marshall Islands and The Mariana Islands. He was promoted to the rank of Chief Petty Officer at the age of 19, the youngest chief in the Pacific fleet at that time. He received a Commendation of Merit from Fleet Adm. C.W. Nimitz for meritorious service and exemplary performance. After World War II, he remained in the Navy, serving on the USS Yorktown CV-10, USS Midway CV-14 and USS Essex CV-9 and was stationed at the Boston Navy Yard until his retirement in 1961 after 20 years in the Navy. Mr. Murray was a crew member of the USS Yorktown for its commissioning. He was taken back in the navy for one day to be aboard the ship for its decommissioning in 1970 and he was present at the 50th Reunion of the Yorktown making him a “Triple Plank Holder” of the ship. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Yorktown Association for many years. In October 2003, Adm. James Flatley presented him a ship’s bell at the annual Yorktown Reunion in recognition of distinguished service to the Fighting Lady and her crew in war and peace. In October 2006, he received a painting of the ship, also in recognition of his distinguished service. Mr. Murray was a life member of American Legion Post 40 in Plymouth; commander of Revere American Legion Post 61, past Exalted Ruler of Elks Lodge #1171 in Revere, served as Junior Vice State Commander of the Disabled American Veterans, Deputy Inspector for DAV District 7 and Commander of DAV Chapter 72 in Plymouth. He also was a member of the Association of Naval Aviation Patriot Squadron of So. Weymouth and was currently serving as director of The Grove. Mr. Murray also was a member of the National Order of Trench Rats and the Top Three Military Retired Association. Mr. Murray was the beloved husband of Nicky (Tirrell-Nicholls) Murray and the late Margaret Ruth DeFilippo, father of Margaret Mary Cahill and her husband, Tom, of Chesapeake, Va., and Barbara Murray of Chesapeake, VA.; stepfather of Linda Sinuc and her husband, Bob, of Glenmont, N.Y., and Cotuit, Mass., (Terry) Edward Tirrell of Chester, N.H., William Tirrell of Dania, Fla., Sarah Tirrell-Wysocki and her husband, David, of Canterbury, N.H.; brother of Eleanor Anderson and husband, Ernest, of Raynham, MA., Donald Murray of Henderson, NV., and the late Wallace and Thomas Murray and the special brother-in-law, Ben Nicholls. He also is survived by seven grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, October 19th from 2-5:00PM at the Shepherd Funeral Home, 116 Main St., Carver. A funeral mass will be held on Monday, October 20th at 9:00 at Our Lady of the Lourdes Church, Main St, Carver. Burial will be at the MA National Cemetery in Bourne. Donations may be made in Charles name to; Cranberry Area Hospice, 36 Cordage Park Circle, Suite 326, Plymouth, MA 02360 or The DAV Van Transportation Fund, State House, Room 546, Beacon St, Boston, MA 02108.