Obituary of Murray William Harper

Murray Harper passed away on Feb 3, 2017 at St. Peter's University Hospital in New Brunswick at the age of 92. Born in Brooklyn, NY; the son of Joseph and Luba Harper. Murray graduated from Brooklyn Tech HS in 1942. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps following his graduation, where he served his country until Feb. 1946. He graduated from Union College in Schenectady NY with a degree in Civil Engineering in May 1950. He took a job in 1952 with Economy Steel Forms Corporation in Des Moines Iowa. He served in many capacities up to being the General Manager of their Canadian division in Oshawa, Ontario. After transferring back to Metuchen NJ, he retired from his corporate career in 1970 to begin his next adventure, teaching for the Middlesex County Vocational High School in East Brunswick. He taught mathematics for 24 years in EBVT. He was very proud of coaching the school's Girls Varsity Softball team from 1975-1986. Murray led the 1985 squad to the Vocational State Championship. Many years after he retired, the girls formed a Women's League and requested his aid as their coach. He was an avid supporter of the teacher's union, having served on the board and negotiation committees at the local level. After retirement he continued as a member and officer at the county and state level. Murray was avid about playing tennis, which he did until he was 89. He relished talking Yankees, Bishop Ahr Girls Basketball and politics. But, most of all his love was his grandchildren, which he doted on. Murray is survived by his wife and friend of 32 years, Gloria Harper, his son Kevin Harper and his wife Amy Gruber, his grandchildren Zachary and Katie, his sister, Miriam Harper Yemen stepchildren; Robert Sullivan, Jane Mastrolia and Deb Farrell and his step grandchildren, Mike Bagarello and Anthony Mastrolia. Visitation will be from 2-5pm and 7-9pm on Monday February 6, 2017 at the M. David DeMarco Funeral Home, Inc. – 205 Rhode Hall Rd., Monroe Twp., NJ 08831 – 732-521-0555 – www.demarcofuneralhome.com. Private interment will be at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery