Visitation: December 10, 2017
Description:
John Murray, 87, died peacefully at home. A lifelong resident of Chicago he was the son of Irish Immigrants Mary and James Murray, he was raised on the West Side of Chicago, and attended Resurrection Grammar School, St. Patrick’s High School and Loyola University Law School. John practiced law in Chicago for over 50 years as a partner at Beverly, Pause, Duffy & O’Malley.John was preceded in death by his dearly loved sister, Kathleen (the late Martin) Egan. While John was a confirmed bachelor, his sister Kathleen had seven children. He was known to them as “Uncle Jack”. He was uncle to the late Mary (Keith) Szlak , Anne Egan (the late James Haughey), James (Dominique) Egan, Noreen Egan (the late Martin Quinn), Kathleen (Thomas) Touhy, the late Veronica (Daniel) O’Neill, and Timothy (Alene) Egan. From the West Side, John moved his mother and Kathleen’s family to the Northwest side of Chicago living a few blocks from each other. With a watchful over his nieces and nephews he ensured all were provided with a Catholic Education and a good life. John loved to walk his animal companion, Stubby throughout his neighborhood. John purchased a vacation home in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin for the family and where many an Egan/Murray bash was held. John would enjoy Sunday drives to the cottage where he would read his newspaper, smoke a cigar and enjoy the views of the lake. John was a great uncle to 12 and great great uncle to 13. He will be missed by all of them. John had four loves; his family, his religion, his country and Irish Music. John’s father died when he was a young man and he provided for his mother with great love and care in his home until she died. He was a loyal parishioner at Queen of All Saints for over 50 years and faithfully attended mass until his health prevented him. He served proudly in the Army during the Korean Conflict in Germany. John even established the Hercules Mulligan American Legion Post with friends Ray McNamee and John “Tiger” Lyons, both preceded him in death. While growing up he took music lessons from Terrance “Cuz” Teahan and became quite proficient on the button accordion. He assisted in writing the charter for the Irish American Heritage Center and could be found there on Wednesday nights playing with his dear friends Pat McPartland, Tom O’Malley, John Meehan, Mike Macken, Susana Haslett, Gary Tigus, Tom McQuire, and various others both young and old. He also enjoyed the debate with Noel Rice about accordions in Ceili Band. The only requirement to sit in on a session was a love for the music. When he retired from law, he increased his playing time and could be found at a variety of establishments, some trendy like Nevins and some not so trendy like Lizards Lounge. The place didn’t matter, as long as he could play, he was happy. John will be remembered as a kind, generous, and truly a “gentle” man. Funeral Monday 9 AM from Gibbons Family Funeral Home 5917 W. Irving Park RD (½ Block East of Austin) to Queen of All Saints Basilica. Mass 10 AM Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Visitation Sunday 3-9 PM. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Irish American Heritage Center. For info 773-777-3944 or www.GFFH.com
