Paul J. Murray

Paul J. Murray, age 94, of Wyomissing Hills, passed away on Saturday, May 21, 2016, in his home, surrounded by his loving family. Son of Harold and Marguerite Murray, Paul was born in Orwell, Vermont on August 13, 1921. Paul was predeceased by his brothers, Francis, Bill, Howard, Maxwell and James and sister, Grace. The "Murray Boys" were famous for their local basketball team, and Paul also played high school ball for Brandon High, VT. He served in the U. S. Army Air Corps from 1942-1946. As a glider pilot in WWII, he was assigned to the 434th Troop Carrier Squadron 72, and participated in three airborne missions- Normandy on D-Day, Market Garden, Holland, and Operation Varsity, crossing the Rhine into Germany. Paul received a U.S. Air Medal with two clusters- the award of the French Croix de Guerre with Palm (for D-Day) and the Bronze Star Medal for valiant effort and participation in Operation Varsity. Paul's four brothers were also in the service and his mother was honored as a five star Gold Star Mother. He was a proud member of the National WWII Glider Pilot Association, the Battle of Normandy Foundation, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans Association.

After the war, Paul attended Phoenix Junior College in Arizona, earning a degree in accounting. He met and married Elizabeth (Betty) Barry, a registered nurse from Lebanon, PA, while in Arizona, and they eventually settled in Reading. They would have celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary in August. Paul worked as a loan specialist for American/Meridian Bank for 32 years and part-time at the stock car races at the Reading Fairgrounds. He was the assistant Scout Master for the Wyomissing Hills Boy Scouts for many years and a charter member of St. Ignatius Loyola Roman Catholic Church. Following retirement, he volunteered for Meals on Wheels. He participated in a bowling league and enjoyed golfing. He took great pride and pleasure in maintaining a pristine lawn and garden. At least twice a year, he traveled to VT and NY for ice fishing and hunting trips with his brothers, their families and his local comrades, Fritz and Warren. Paul loved music, good jokes and word puzzles. He was happiest enjoying time with his family at summer picnics and holiday gatherings.

Surviving in addition to his wife, are his four children, Ann Marie Murray of Reading, PA, Thomas Murray (Dana) of Kutztown, PA, Patricia Murray (Roger Hedrick) of Reading, PA and Kathleen Schell (Gregory) of Wilmington, DE. He has three grandchildren, Benjamin, Emily and Arizona (AJ) and a number of nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at 11 a.m. in St. Ignatius Loyola RC Church, 2810 St. Albans Dr., Sinking Spring, PA 19608. Friends may call Wednesday from 10:30 to 11 a.m. in the church. Burial will take place at the PA Veteran's Memorial at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Paul's name to the Disabled Veterans Association, 4219 Trindle Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011 or St. Ignatius Loyola R.C. Church at the above address. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.