Edward F. Murtaugh was born on January 27, 1947, in Camden to John J. Murtaugh Jr. and Saimi Perala. He was named in honor of his late uncle, Private Edward F. Murtaugh, who lost his life in action in Italy in 1944. The Murtaugh family resided at 1169 Bergen Avenue in Camden’s Cramer Hill neighborhood.
In March 1963, tragedy struck when Ed Murtaugh and nine other teenagers, driven by 21-year-old William Hummell, embarked on a ride through South Jersey in a convertible. Near Atco, the car went through a guardrail by a railroad bridge, plummeted 50 feet to the tracks, striking high-powered electric lines on the way down. Among the casualties were Robert E. Shelley, Ellen Marren, Judith Sviben, and Dorothy Fitzpatrick. William Hummel, the driver, sustained serious injuries.
Ed Murtaugh, along with David Murtaugh and others, including Joseph Rotchford, who interestingly also became a Camden firefighter, survived with cuts and bruises.
Drafted in 1966, Edward F. Murtaugh completed basic training before being deployed to Vietnam with the 240th Assault Helicopter Company, 9th Infantry Division, at Bearcat, Bien Hoa province, Vietnam, serving from 1967 to 1968.
Upon his return and honorable discharge from the military, Edward F. Murtaugh joined the Camden City Fire Department. He served for many years with Engine Company 6, eventually rising to the rank of Captain. His final command was at Engine Company 10. Captain Murtaugh served with distinction until his retirement in January 2000.
In 1991, Edward Murtaugh became a member of the South Jersey Vietnam Veterans Association, assuming roles such as Sergeant of Arms and, for one year, President. His dedication to aiding fellow servicemen earned him the Camden County Veterans Special Recognition Award in October 2005 from the Camden County Department of Veterans Affairs.
A resident of Westmont, New Jersey, Edward Murtaugh passed away suddenly on November 22, 2006.
Related Photos
Related Articles
-
Edward F. Murtaugh
Edward F. Murtaugh was born on January 27, 1947, in Camden to John J. Murtaugh Jr. and Saimi Perala. He was named in honor of his late uncle, Private Edward F. Murtaugh, who lost his life in action in Italy in 1944. The Murtaugh family resided at 1169 Bergen Avenue in Camden’s Cramer Hill neighborhood.…
-
More Bergen Avenue Memories
I just reviewed the Bergen Avenue site again. Ok, so my parents bought 1021 Bergen from the Kennedy family in 1953. My parents lived in the white house, one house from Engles Lot. There was a red house that is gone between my parents house and that lot. My dad passed away in 1982 and…
-
Obituary for Edward F. Murtaugh
Camden Courier-Post – November 26, 2006 MURTAUGH, EDWARD F. age 59, died suddenly on November 22, 2006. Born in Camden, NJ on January 27, 1947, Ed was a resident of Westmont, NJ where he lived with his wife Colleen, and his stepson Thomas, for the past eight years. Beloved son of the late John J.…
-
4 Camden Teenagers Killed In Car Dive From Berlin Span
Camden Courier-Post – March 19, 1963 Driver, 5 Others Survive Four Camden teenagers were killed and six others injured shortly after 8 p.m. Monday when the car in which they were riding crashed off a bridge in Berlin Borough. The dead were identified by state police as: The driver, William Hummel, 21, of 1033 Bergen…
Leave a Reply