Peabody Patch followers on Facebook offered condolences and remembered the life of John M. “Jack” Murtagh, of Peabody, who served as a longtime principal of the Kiley Brothers Memorial School.
Murtagh passed away on Wednesday.
He served 37 years as principal of that school and completed more than four decades of being an educator in 2002. He continued to give back to Peabody after his retirement and served on the Peabody Council on Aging.
Here are some of the comments from readers remembering Mr. Murtagh:
Timothy E. Penziner: What a great man, I remember being 12 years old when I 1st moved to Peabody... Mr. Murtagh was very nice to me and you don't forget people like him. RIP.
Cyndy Guarino Fitzpatrick: Mr. Murtagh was a great principal and person inside and out always had the best interest of his students..My deepest sympathy to his family.
Ronda Krieg: Even though it's been many years, seeing his picture puts me back into the hallways of school. He was a well respected and wonderful man. R.I.P. Mr Murtagh...
Linda Lucia Harnois: My three daughters went to Kiley years ago and Mr Murtagh always would remember their names years later when we met. I always though that was such a nice thing. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Alan Titelbaum: Rest in peace Mr. Murtagh. Our condolences to his family. He was a great educator.
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