A viewing will take place on Friday, Feb. 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Cornerstone Church in Mount Laurel.
On Feb. 4, after a 28-month battle with stage 4 colorectal cancer, Robert J. Murray, Jr. “Robb” received perfect healing when he went home to his savior.
He is survived by his loving wife of 33 years Constance S. Murray (née Hare); his sons and daughters-in-law: Dr. Robert J. Murray, III and Dr. Calla Vodoor Murray of Philadelphia; Andrew D. Murray of Moorestown, Matthew D. Murray of Moorestown and Katherine Lodato of Cinnaminson; Anthony L. Phelps, IV and Andrea Mott Phelps of Dahlgren Va. and granddaughter Aubrey Lynn Phelps. He is also survived by sister Deborah Bell (Tom) of Middletown and brother Scott Murray (Nancy) of Howell as well as brother-in-law William D.Hare (Stephanie) of Moorestown; sister-in-law Karen Hare Eder (Keith) of Riverside and father-in-law William H. Hare, Jr. of Moorestown. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, cousins and close friends.
Robb was the middle child of Robert J. Murray, Sr. and Barbara L. Murray (née Dawkins). He was raised in Wall where he was a cub scout, played little league, ran track and played high school soccer. He played the trumpet in the Wall High School band and was the chief crew member of Tice Racing at the Wall Speedway. He attended Brookdale Community College, transferred to Trenton State College graduated in 1985 with a degree in technology education.
In 1986, he married his college sweetheart Conni Hare. Together, they raised three boys, adding an adult child to their family after their boys had all graduated high school. A handy guy, with the help of family and friends, they completely renovated two houses — first in Maple Shade and then in Moorestown.
He worked at two schools before landing at Lenape Regional High School where he taught for 30 years. He brought the video media program to Lenape High School, and it quickly grew into the studio broadcast run by students. He taught video media technology, photography, digital photography, woodworking, electronics, technology today and CAD. He treated his students with kindness and respect. He believed every student had value and that there were no bad kids, just good kids who sometimes made bad choices.
Robb loved to hunt and target practice, but his favorite thing was spending time with his family. He coached his son’s sports teams all through school spending every spare minute with them on the soccer field, baseball field, lacrosse field and on the side of the pool cheering them on when they swam for Sunnybrook Club as little guys. He was so proud of each and every accomplishment. He was a youth leader at church and an active teacher participant of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at school. He was a great man who considered everyone extended family.
He enjoyed woodworking and was always working on a project making furniture and home decor. In July 2015, he and Conni opened Barrel of Murray’s, LLC, an online store selling home decor made from reclaimed wine and whiskey barrels and shipping pallets. As things were just starting to really take off for them, he was diagnosed with stage IV rectal cancer already metastatic to liver and lungs. The chemo caused so many side effects that his woodworking was sporadic and the business slowed. He was hoping his sons and others would help to keep his dream alive after his passing into glory.
Although Robb had always been a believer, it wasn’t until faced with death that he truly understood the promise of eternity through Christ Jesus. He and his wife Conni started writing a book about the faith journey they were on. Know that the final chapter is not a sad one. Although Robb’s earthly body lost the battle with cancer, he ultimately won the fight. The final chapter is a joyous one where Robb found perfect healing and ran into his Savior’s arms.
A viewing will take place on Friday, Feb. 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Cornerstone Church in Mount Laurel. A funeral service will take place on Saturday, Feb. 9 at 10 a.m. at the church. Interment will be private.
Robb specifically asked that people do not send flowers to his viewing or service. He said flowers are pretty for a time, but they do no good in the world. He wanted people to donate to the Moorestown and Lenola EMS squads or the American Cancer Society for colorectal cancer research.
Please be sure to designate your donation as a memorial contribution in his name so the family will be notified of your contribution. Condolences may be left at www.Lewisfuneralhomemoorestown.com
