Paul W. Murphy, 81, of Harley Drive, formerly of Vinton St., died Saturday, December 29, 2007, in his home, surrounded by his family, after a long and courageous battle with lung cancer.

   He leaves his wife of almost 52 years, Barbara E. (Sheehan) Murphy; a daughter, Kathleen A. Vescera and her husband Rusty and their daughter Maura L. Vescera; two sons, Paul W. Murphy, Jr. and John F. Murphy, all of Worcester; two daughters from a previous marriage, Donna Evans and her husband David of Portland CT, Deborah Barton and her husband James of Feeding Hills, MA; four additional grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. His Brother, US Air Force Captain John F. Murphy, Jr., predeceased him in 1957.

   He was born and raised in Worcester, son of the late John F. Murphy, Sr. and Mary A. (Kelly) Murphy, and graduated from Commerce High School. He was a World War II Navy Veteran, having served as a Corpsman aboard the hospital ship Hawaii Mars and the destroyers USS Chief and the USS Douglas Fox.

   Paul worked 33 years for the A&P Tea Company, retiring in 1977. He then worked 12 years at Heald Machine Corporation. He was an accomplished musician, a welterweight boxer, a lifelong Red Sox fan, and an active member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a long time member of St. Bernard's Church, where he served as an usher and assisted with maintenance.

   CALLING HOURS will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 1, in KELLY FUNERAL HOME, 154 Lincoln St. A FUNERAL MASS will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 2, in ST. BERNARD'S CHURCH, 228 Lincoln St. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton, MA. The family suggests donations in memory of Paul be made to the VNA Care Hospice, 120 Thomas St., Worcester, MA 01608.