John G. Murray, of Port Richey, Florida passed away on Saturday February 16, 2019 after reaching the age of 95 years old. After months of failing health, he died peacefully within his home with his daughter Susan by his side. John was born on May 19, 1923 in Pottsville, PA to Zack and Sophie Murray. As a boy he loved to tinker with machines. With his brother, Bob, they took apart and put together old cars to get them running again. He went to Penn State for his B.S in Electrical Engineering and received his Masters degree from the University of Pittsburgh.
John started work at Westinghouse in Pittsburgh where he was a part of a team that helped to build the U.S.S Nautilus. At times, his work brought him to Cleveland, Ohio, where he met Ruth J. Reichtell. They married in July 1948 and took up a home in Homestead, PA.
John always wanted to make a big impact on how we live, which is why his next job was at Princeton University in the Plasma Physics Laboratory. His team of engineers and physicists would design and build working models of fusion reactors that could help provide sources of energy for the future.
John and Ruth lived in Cranbury, NJ for almost 40 years where they raised their three children. John was very involved locally wherever he lived. He was a Boy Scout leader for Troop 52 in Cranbury and scout leader in the local district where he earned the Silver Beaver award. He was a volunteer in the First Aid Squad and a member and officer in the Cranbury Lions Club.
In 1988 he retired and soon he and Ruth became snowbirds, living in Port Richey, FL in the winter months. Each spring, John’s love for gardening could not keep him in the south so he was quick to come back to Cranbury where he worked as many as three local gardens at one time. Ruth predeceased him in 1991, a few years after making Florida their permanent home. John loved to go bicycling several times a week with some of the trips lasting 50 miles or more. John’s last 3 years were lovingly cared for by his daughter, Susan, spending the days watching old movies together.
John is survived by his children, Richard Murray (Patricia) of Tucson, AZ, David Murray (Darlene) of Vernon CT, and Susan Murray (Patrick Root) of Skipwith, VA; grandchildren Jessica Santiago (Bobby Brock ) of Anderson, SC; Nicholas Murray of Ft. Myers, FL, and Elizabeth Murray of Vernon, CT; great-grandchild John Wyatt (named after John). A visiting hour will be held at 10am followed by a memorial service at 11am on Thursday, Feb. 21 at the Meadowlawn Memorial Gardens, New Port Richey, FL.