AUGUSTA – Joseph F. Murphy, 86, died unexpectedly Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025 at his home. He was born in Chester, Nova Scotia, Canada on May 28, 1939, a son of the late Frances Murphy. He was raised by the Baxter family of Pleasant Valley, Antigonish Nova Scotia on the family farm. He considered himself to be a frustrated farmer living in the city for the past 50 years. In spite of that, his flower beds and vegetable gardens were bountiful. 

Joe attended schools in Canada and the U.S. and was a communicant of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church and was a member of Abnaki Council #334 3rd Degree and Abnaki Assembly #346 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. Joe was a very active participant in all Knight of Columbus activities and held several offices including Grand Knight.

Joe gave of himself through countless hours of volunteering every chance he got. At the Togus Veteran’s Hospital, he was the administrator for Operation Wheelchair for 30 years. He tended to the rose gardens at Togus as well as the Maine Veteran’s Cemetery for 15 years. He was the official rose whisperer. Actually, any plant thrived under his care including his 200 rose bushes.

Joe also got roped into volunteering with any activity that daughters asked him to. He flipped enough burgers and hot dogs for Cony Allsport Boosters, Windsor Fair, and Relay for Life to last a life time. He loved to be needed and was a huge help in any endeavor. For Joe’s entire lifetime, he was a great neighbor. He relished the visits, chats, and comradery with his neighborhood family. 

Joe delivered Chinese food from Eastern Delight for 15 years until he was 80 years old. He loved his customers (and their pets). He knew every house and street by heart. He left an impression at every breakfast joint in central Maine with his humor and laughter. 

One of Joe’s hobbies besides gardening, antique cars, and chatting it up was exploring Maine with long drives. He often took the long way and stopped at every antique shop along the way. Joe knew every bird in the Northeast by the bird song and could imitate most of them. 

He was a U.S. Air Force veteran and had been employed for many years at the Veterans Administration all over the United States. 

Joe is lovingly survived by his wife of 63 years, Inez M. (Davidson) Murphy of Augusta; two daughters, Jan Murphy (Bruce) of Augusta and Colleen Murphy (Marc) of Kentucky. He was proud to be “Bucka/Grandpa” to five grandchildren, Dustin, Joshua, Luke, Elizabeth and Daniel.

He attended every sporting event when he was able. He was one of the most boisterous cheerleaders on the sidelines and was very loyal to the teams he was cheering on.

Joseph Francis Murphy was the king of the one-liners and his humor, laugh, and love of life will be forever missed.

Relatives and friends may visit on Friday, Oct. 3 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St. where members of the Knights of Columbus are asked to meet at 2:30 p.m. to prepare for the Posting of the Guard. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 11 a.m. at Togus VA Chapel, 1 VA Center, Building 235, in Togus. Burial and committal prayers will be at a later date in the old Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Civic Center Drive, Augusta. Condolences, stories and photos may be shared at http://www.plummerfh.com .

The family requests that donations in Joe’s memory may be made to either:

Augusta Food Bank

161 Mt. Vernon Ave.

Augusta, ME, 04330

or the

Children’s Center of Augusta

1 Alden Ave.

Augusta, ME 04330