John J. Murphy Bird Honored At Dinner For 25 Years As Bird Executive-This Day in Norwood History-January 30, 1964

John J. Murphy, 185 Roosevelt avenue, Norwood, was the guest of honor at a dinner attended by more than 100 persons on January 23 at the Lord Fox. The occasion was his 25th anniversary with Bird & Son, Inc., where he has served for the past 10 years as director of personnel and industrial relations.

Executive Vice-President, Robert F. Jenkins, presided at the ceremonies following the dinner. Congratulatory messages were read from President Wilkins who is in Florida and from several others including former President Axel H. Anderson of Osterville and former Director of Personnel, Ralph M. Wight of Exeter, New Hampshire. Greetings and congratulations at the dinner were given by several company officials and a special poem written for the occasion by “Vic” O’Sullivan was read by the author. Mr. Murphy was presented with a clock radio and a movie camera.

Educated in the Norwood schools and a graduate of Boston College, Class of 1938, Murphy joined Bird & Son on January 26, 1939. For a time he worked at the Floor Covering and Roofing Plants in Norwood. He joined the company’s Industrial Engineering Department in 1946 and became assistant director of personnel in 1951. He was named director of personnel and industrial relations in April, 1954 at the age of 37, upon the retirement of the former director, Ralph M. Wight.

During World War II he served with the Marines in the Pacific Theatre, taking part in the recapture of Guam, the invasion of Iwo Jima, and the initial occupation of Japan. He holds the Bronze Star Medal with Combat V for Valor and the Navy Unit Citation. As a reserve officer he attained the rank of captain.

Mr. Murphy is widely known in the Norwood area for his community work and his ability as a speaker. He is a member of St. Catherine’s Church and of the Ushers’ Club of the Church, and is chancellor of the Norwood Council of Knights of Columbus. He was recently elected a director of the Dedham Trust Company, having served this organization for two years as chairman of its Norwood Advisory Board. He is also chairman of the Industry and Growth of the Town Committee of the Norwood Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. and Mrs. Murphy (she was the former Cecilia Macaulay) have seven children: Robert, who graduated from Boston College last June, is presently a lieutenant in the U. S. Army Reserve, stationed at Okinawa; Cecilia and Jean attend the Norwood Senior High School; John, Neil, and Elizabeth attend the Callahan School and Patricia will be three in April. James Murphy, a brother, is chief of police for the Town of Norwood.

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