Joseph C. Murat
1926 – 2016

West Springfield – Joseph C. Murat, 89, of Hanover Street died Monday surrounded by his loving family and the caring staff of the Holyoke Soldier's Home. Joe was born in Queens, New York and has lived in West Springfield for over 40 years. He served 27 years with the United States Marines having been discharged in 1971 with the rank of Master Sergeant. He served during World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War and earned the Good Conduct Medal (3 Awards), National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), Vietnam Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, and the Navy Occupation Service Medal. Joe lived by four qualities, honor, God, country and family. After retiring from the Military, Joe worked at Moore Drop Forge Company/Eastco before retiring from Mercy Hospital. He was a communicant of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Church, member of the Fleet Reserve and was very active at the West Springfield Senior Center, receiving the Volunteer of the Year Award. He loved to travel and has been to five different continents and 49 of the 50 states. His wife Estelle (Jackowski) Murat died in 1999. He leaves his two daughters MaryJane Morin and her husband Keith and Ginger Lincoln of West Springfield; siblings Caroline Ahern, Barbara Christiana and her husband George, Adrienne Burke, Richard Murat, Donald Murat all of New York and Bill Murat and his wife Brenda of Virginia. Joe also leaves nieces and nephews in New York, Virginia, Colorado and Massachusetts. The family would like to thank the staff of the Holyoke Soldier's Home for the care and respect they gave to "Sarge". A very special thank you to Joe's caregiver, Val, for giving Joe friendship, laughter and kindness. The funeral will be held at the West Springfield Curran-Jones Funeral Home Friday at 9:00am with Liturgy in St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Church at 10:00am followed by burial in St. Thomas Cemetery. Visiting hours will be Thursday from 4:00 – 7:00pm. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Soldiers' Home, 4th Floor East, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, 01040, or to the Sr. Mary Caritas Cancer Center, 271 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104.