Cornelius "CJ" Murphy

Cornelius “CJ” Murphy age 95 of Alexandria died on Monday, January 18, 2016 at Grand Arbor. A Funeral Service will be held 10:00 AM on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Saturday. OBITUARY Cornelius “CJ” Joseph Murphy was born on November 18, 1920 in Le Sueur, Minnesota to Frank and Ida (Lefto) Murphy. He graduated from Le Sueur High School where he enjoyed playing football. CJ was united in marriage to Bonnie James on November 29, 1941 at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in St. Paul. A week later, Pearl Harbor was attacked and the United States entered World War II. CJ was drafted in the U.S. Navy on December 28, 1941 (21 days after Pearl Harbor). He fought at the Omaha Beach Invasion with the 1st wave at 6:01 am landing with 1300 men on D-Day. At 6:00 pm that evening, there were only 6 men still standing from his group. After an honorable discharge, he returned to St. Paul where he dug coal. A few years later the family moved to Duluth, where he went to work for Young Town Kitchens. They then returned back to St. Paul for a short time before moving to Albert Lea where CJ worked at Queen Stoveworks. He later became General Sales Manager for Atlanta Stove Works out of Atlanta, GA but worked out of St. Paul where the family then resided. In 1977, the couple bought land in Miltona and built a place for their retirement. CJ enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, traveling to Arizona and Hawaii, and taking cruises. CJ died on Monday, January 18, 2016 at Grand Arbor in Alexandria, MN at the age of 95. He is survived by his loving wife of 74 years, Bonnie Murphy of Alexandria; son, Ronald (Sandy) Murphy of Garfield; daughter, Jolene (David) Phillips of New Brighton; five grandchildren, Michelle Schauer, Chris (Scott) Navratil, Sean Phillips, Shannon (Richard) Savelkoul and Molly (Bryce) Poulton; eleven great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Jordan, Matthew, Megan, Sarah, Brynn, Abbey Jo, Madelyn, Ellie, AJ, and Breya; and many nieces and nephews. CJ is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Ida; brothers, Marvin, Clarence, Bill, Gerald, and Clayton; sisters, Dorothy, Mae, and Geraldine; and grandson, Mike Murphy. A funeral service was held on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at the Anderson Funeral Home with Kathy Fisher officiating. Interment was at Hillside Cemetery in Minneapolis. Military Honors were provided by the Alexandria American Legion Post 87, VFW Post 936, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 235, and the Minnesota National Honor Guard.

Cornelius "CJ" Murphy

November 18, 1920 - January 18, 2016