OBITUARY: Howard “Sonny” Murray, 83

Below is an obituary from Nichols Funeral Home:

WILMINGTON, MA — Howard G. Murray, fondly known as “Sonny” to family and friends, age 83, of Wilmington, passed away at home on April 11, 2025, after a brief illness. Sonny was the husband of Rosemary (Elliott) Murray, with whom he shared nearly 57 years of marriage.

Sonny was born on August 22, 1941, in Lowell, MA; he was the only son of the late Howard G. and Stella (Wilson) Murray. He attended Wilmington Schools and was a graduate of Wilmington High School with the Class of 1961.

After high school, Howard enlisted in the United States Navy in January of 1961; he proudly served in both the Cuban Missile Crisis and Vietnam War before he was honorably discharged from active duty in January of 1965. Howard continued his service to the country in the Navy Reserves until January of 1967.

Howard worked hard throughout his life; he started his career as a welder at the Boston Navy Yard where he continued to take courses and hone his skills. When Boston Navy Yard closed, he took a position at Portsmouth Naval Shipyards and worked as a Mechanical Nuclear Power Inspector until his retirement. Never one to sit still, his second career brought him to Enterprise Rental Car, where he worked as a Car Prep until he was forced to retire in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic.

Howard enjoyed being outside in his garden tending to his plants and vegetables or he loved being on his tractor and tinkering with his tools in his shed. Howard’s shed was a reflection of him, but nothing was better than a visit from his grandchildren whom he adored, and he treasured every visit.

In Addition to his wife, Howard leaves behind three children: Tracey Jorgenson and her husband Adam of Peabody, MA, Kelle Murray of Wilmington, MA, and Jody Murray and his wife Elisha of Wilmington, MA. Howard also leaves behind eight grandchildren and one great grandchild, Nathaniel, Hannah, Hunter, and Bryce Jorgenson of Peabody, MA, Ashley, Ava, and Lillian Murray of Wilmington, MA, and Trinidi Hamilton and her husband Travis and his only great grandchild Leela Hamilton all of Lyman, ME. Howard is survived by two sisters, Dorothy Bragdon of Stratham, NH, and Patricia McKenna of Wilmington, MA; he is predeceased by three sisters, Norma Hembree, Barbara Griffin, and Thelma Diels. Howard also leaves behind many nieces and nephews here in the States and in Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Family and friends are welcome to gather for Visiting Hours at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, MA, on Thursday, April 17th from 4:00-7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Howard’s memory may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

To leave a message for the family please visit our website at www.nicholsfuneralhome.com.