Robert "Bobby" Murray

Robert “Bobby” Murray of Newton, formerly of Brighton, passed away peacefully at his home on March 10, 2026, at 59 years old. A beloved husband and proud father, he is survived by his devoted wife, Kathleen (Burke) Murray, and their loving children, Aidan, Caroline, and Andrew.

Bobby was the seventh child of the late Michael Murray of Ballycarroll, County Laois, Ireland, and Margaret McCarthy of Castlecove, County Kerry, Ireland — a heritage he carried proudly throughout his life. He was the cherished brother of Tommy Murray and his wife Mary Ellen; Michael Murray Jr.; Kevin Murray and his wife Gail; Betty Ann Liddell and her husband Dan; Margaret Norton and her husband Alan; Gerard Murray and his wife Judith; and Deirdre Murray and her husband Dan Wrixon. He is also survived by his father- and mother-in-law, Jack and Nancy Burke; his sisters-in-law, Karen Kiejna, Debra Koufos, and Nancy Gallagher; his brother-in-law, John Burke; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

To know Bobby was to know a man of enormous character and presence. He was never short of words, but every one of them carried weight. He was driven, precise, and hard-nosed — the kind of man who called it like he saw it and held himself and everyone around him to an unyielding standard. He didn't do things halfway, and he didn't make promises he wouldn't keep. He was persistent and resilient, determined to instill those lessons in his children. Behind that serious, no-nonsense exterior, however, was a quick-witted, unrelenting sense of humor and one of the most generous and devoted souls those close to him had ever known. Whether it was family, a friend in need, or someone he had just met, Bobby would give everything he had without hesitation or expectation. His strength was quiet, but those he loved felt it every single day.

That same spirit defined Murray Construction from the very beginning. When Bobby founded the company in 1995, he built it on a simple but uncompromising principle: do it right, or don't do it at all. Over the decades, that commitment earned him a reputation that no amount of advertising could buy. Clients didn't just hire him once — they stayed with him for years, even decades after their home was completed, because they trusted him wholeheartedly. He stood behind his work the way he stood behind the people he loved: without conditions, and without wavering.

What brought Bobby the most joy was spending time with family and friends, especially on Cape Cod. He was always working on something — fixing it, improving it, or finding a way to make it just right. He loved his classic cars, fishing off Chapin Beach, watching the Bruins, walking his bulldog Wally at sunset, and listening to Irish music while working outside. A cold beer and a lively conversation always brought a smile to his face and to anyone lucky enough to be in his company.

Bobby Murray leaves behind not only beautiful homes, but a legacy of hard work, devotion to family, and a life well lived. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, March 18, from 4–7 p.m. at the Lehman, Reen & McNamara Funeral Home, 63 Chestnut Hill Ave., Brighton. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, March 19, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, 573 Washington Street, Newton. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Interment private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bobby's memory may be made to the Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115 or Donate | Boston Children's Hospital or to the Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place West, 5th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445-7226.

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