John F. Murphy, Jr. (1936 – 2021)
PENSACOLA, FL—John “Jack” Francis Murphy, Jr. died July 8, 2021.
He as born March 14, 1936 in Albany to Marion Margaret Brand and John F. Murphy.
He served three years in the Army as an engineer including 10 months in a combat zone in Korea where the cease fire was signed while he was on a troop ship headed for the war zone with the 841st Engineer Aviation Battalion. He returned to the U.S. to complete his enlistment and later returned to Albany. He eventually went to work for Niagara-Mohawk Power Company.
Mr. Murphy and his first wife, Helene Jane Van Beusichem were married April 12, 1958 and settled in Claverack. They adopted three children, Thomas John (Kelly), Linda Jean Turner (Bruce), and James Matthew (Jayne).
Mr. Murphy served his community as a member and leader of several organizations including the A.B. Shaw Fire Company, St. John’s and St. Thomas’ Lutheran Churches, the Hudson Elks, VFW, American Legion, Hudson Power Boat Association, and Hudson Whalers Pop Warner Football. He also served 10 years as a member of the Hudson City School District Board of Education including two years as president and liaison to the NY State Schools Boards.
He retiree from NiMo as the superintendent of transmission and distribution for the Hudson service area after 35 years. His wife Jane died in August 1986. He remarried Joan Steineke and they later retired in North Fort Myers, FL, where he remained active in civic organizations. After many years in
Florida, Mr. Murphy returned to the Hudson area.
After his second wife passed away, he met his second “soul mate” in Rose “Betty” Taylor and they split time between Crossville, TN, and East Greenbush. Betty passed away in 2019 and Mr. Murphy moved to Pensacola, FL, and was a proud member of American Legion Post 240 where he was the eldest of four generations of Post Sons of the American Legion members, the youngest being his great-grandson, Seamus.
He loved his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brothers and their wives, Kenneth Pleat (Clarice) and George Pleat (Georgette).
The family thanks the caring staff at Summer Vista assisted living facility (particularly Kerrianna, Danielle, and Holly) and Vitas Healthcare (particularly Stephanie, Jasmine, Ellen, and Kelly).
He requested his family have “a big party” instead of a funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Murphy’s name to the Korean War Veterans Memorial Foundation, Inc. or the Veterans Memorial Park Foundation of Pensacola, Inc.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements. Express condolences online at www.fcfhs.com.
Betty Duntz (1932 – 2021)
GHENT—Betty Duntz, 89, a lifelong Elizaville resident, passed away Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at the Ghent Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.
Born January 7, 1932 in Milan, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Lucy (Wetzler) Pulver. She married Clifford E. Duntz October 15, 1950 in Rhinebeck. Mr. Duntz predeceased her in 1996.
In addition to being a homemaker for her family, she worked at the Elizaville Post Office for a number of years. Mrs. Duntz enjoyed spending her time endlessly cooking and baking which was well appreciated by her family. She also took great pride in her gardening. She was also a longtime member of the Elizaville Methodist Church.
She is survived by: her loving children, Charles Duntz and his wife Carol of Elizaville and Victoria Grimaldi and her husband Vincent of Ancram; her grandchildren, Kayla Duntz, Vincent Grimaldi, Jr., Donna Gardella and Dana Triola; her great-grandchildren, Sierra, Dakota, Olivia and Michael; her sisters, Marion (James) Kellerhouse and Irene (George) Voegler; in addition to extended family and friends.
Mrs. Duntz was predeceased by her siblings, Donald E. Pulver Sr. and Muriel Orr.
A funeral service will be held at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Elizaville Methodist Church, P.O. Box 3, Elizaville 12523.
Arrangements are under the direction of Burnett & White Funeral Homes, 7461 South Broadway, Red Hook.
