- Date Of Birth: December 31, 1919
- Date Of Death: September 29, 2011
- State: Massachusetts
Edward J. Furphy, 91, of Upton, died Thursday, September 29, 2011, in St. Camillus Health Center in Northbridge after a long illness. A retired teacher, he was the husband of Edna M. (Sansoucie) Furphy.
Mr. Furphy was born in Clinton, the son of the late Henry and Catherine (Fitzgerald) Furphy. He was a 1937 graduate of Clinton High School and a World War II Navy veteran. He earned degrees from the College of the Holy Cross and Worcester State College and had been a resident of Upton since 1949.
Mr. Furphy was an elementary school teacher in Upton, Mendon, Grafton, and Hopedale, retiring from the Mendon-Upton Regional School District in 1982. A dedicated teacher, he also worked as a school administrator but later returned to the classroom. He was a communicant and lector at Holy Angels Parish in Upton, sang in its choir, and served as chair of both the Parish Council and the Social Activities Committee for many years.
A talented vocalist, he was a long-time member of the Blue Skies Quartet of the Worcester Men of Song, hosted a barbershop quartet radio show on WMRC Radio in Milford, and wrote a column entitled “The Songs We Used To Sing” for the Upton and Mendon Town Crier.
He was also chair of the Upton Heritage Committee for 18 years, a member of the Blackstone Valley Heritage Committee, a member and past secretary of the George L. Wood V.F.W. Post, and a poll worker in Upton.
At St. Camillus Health Center, he was an elected member of the Residents’ Council representing Farrell Haven and a member of the Food Committee.
In addition to his wife of 61 years, he leaves a son, Paul Furphy and his wife Doreen of Milford; two daughters, Virginia Giuliani and her husband Ralph of Upton, and Christine Normandin and her husband Gary of Happy Valley, Alaska; a sister Marion Cucchi of Clinton; three grandchildren, Erica Giuliani and Jesse and Traci Normandin; and a great-grandson Connor Gossman. Another son, Robert E. Furphy, died in 1971 at age 7. He was also the brother of the late Eleanor O’Toole.
151 Mendon Street, Upton.
