Joseph Thomas Murtha of South Weymouth, passed away January 19, 2011 surrounded by his family daily during a long illness in his home. He was born in Revere in 1913, the son of Mary Jane McDonough Murtha and Thomas Francis Murtha. Upon his father's early death he supported the family with the help of his predeceased Uncle Hugh McDonough. After serving in the army during WWII as a First Lieutenant, he came home to work for the phone company. By the time he retired he had worked for the phone company by every name from "New England Telephone Co." to "Verizon". Joseph was a member of the Telephone Workers Pioneers. He was married for almost fifty years to the late Margaret Virginia Bennett and lived in Dedham in a house they built together until his retirement to the Cape where they found their dream house. Together they traveled with their children most of the United States. In his later years he married Christine Dowd Murtha of Clearwater, Fla. and Bourne, MA. He is very proud of three daughters he leaves: Karen Murtha Elliott and her husband Warren of Abington, Christine Ann Hawkins of Weymouth with whom he lived happily  the past six years, and Kathleen Oesterheld and her husband Douglas of Bourne. He was called Papa Joe by three grandchildren; Heather Margaret Elliott and partner John Kuzmich, Nathan Joseph Elliott, and Daniel Oesterheld. Papa Joe will be greatly missed by his three great grandchildren, Skylar Margaret, Alex, and Courtney Kuzmich. Joseph was predeceased by two sisters; Mary "Claire" Murtha Henkel and Sabina Fitzpatrick. He leaves two brothers; Thomas Murtha of Springhill, Fla., Robert Murtha of Barrington, RI, and one sister, Winifred Donovan of Scituate. The "Murtha Clan" gathered as frequently as possible just to enjoy their sibling love. There are over forty nieces and nephews and dozens of "greats" that will feel the great loss of another of our elders. Karen Elliot, Christine Hawkins, and Kate Oesterheld would like to recognize the help of Dr. Lilli, his office staff, the Norwell Visiting and Hospice Nursing Organization, especially RN Cheryl and SW Gina, and Father Mahoney of St. Bridget's, without whose support we would never have been able to honor our father's wishes.  He endured without complaint the process of an illness that caused him the indignities of a failing body until God called him home. Thank you, thank you. Funeral from the Quealy & Son Funeral Home 116 Adams Street, Abington Wednesday January 26 at 8am followed by a funeral mass in St. Bridget Church, Abington 9am. Visitation Tuesday 3 to 7pm. Interment will be private at the MA National Cemetery, Bourne. The family requests that in lieu of flowers please do an act of kindness "pass it on" to honor our father.