Andover - Robert Delaney Murgia, age 98, died on June 1, 2021 at Bridges by Epoch Assisted living in Andover. Although his time in assisted living was brief, it was a warm and loving environment.

He was born in Lawrence, Mass. on July 23, 1922, to the late Joseph R. Murgia and Veronica (Delaney) Murgia. He was a 1940 graduate of Lawrence High School.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943 and was a Tech/Sgt in the 407th Antiaircraft Gun Battalion. He served in Belgium, France and Holland. On D-Day, his unit was responsible for a preparatory attack on the beach head. The primary mission of his unit was to counter and destroy the German "Buzz Bombs."

In 1948, he was appointed to the Mass. State Police Academy and was a member of the 33rd Recruit Training Troop. He served in Troops A, B, C, D and GHQ. He was the recipient of five commendations for bravery and outstanding performance of duty. As a Staff Sergeant, he captured the "Shotgun Gang", wanted for several armed robberies. When Captain and A Troop Commander he was wounded in an armed robbery and then again in an armed hostage situation.

In 1964, he was promoted to Major/Adjutant, which was second in command. In 1967, he was promoted to Lt. Col./Executive Officer, the highest rank at the time. He was the youngest person to head the department in his era as well as the longest serving Colonel.

During his command tenure, he saw extensive action. Including prison rioting, anti-war rioting, gambling raids and intensive manhunts. Bob participated in the hunt for Albert DiSalvo and William Gilday. DeSalvo, known as the Boston Strangler, was wanted for the murder of 13 women; Gilday for the murder of Boston Police Officer William Schroeder. At the time, this was the largest manhunt in New England history.

Much to his dismay, state leaders forced Bob to oversee the elimination of the barracks system where officers would live at the barracks only going home on their days off. Instead, each officer was given a take home cruiser. He felt there would be several disadvantages to this plan. Among them would be a breakdown of discipline as Bob was well known for his strict discipline.

In 1972, facing mandatory retirement at age 50, he filed a civil rights action against the Massachusetts Board of Retirement. After several years of litigation, the case was heard by the U. S. Supreme Court. They ruled 7 to 1 against him, stating that government employment was not a fundamental right.

After forced retirement, he went to work for the former Digital Equipment Co. He was head of security at the Westminster, mfg. plant and later at the Salem, NH plant, retiring at age 71. In retirement, he enjoyed his time with his grandchildren, riding his horse and working in his garden.

He was predeceased by his wife, Margaret (Towler), his brothers, Raymond J. Murgia and Lt. Col. Francis X. Murgia, USAF. He is survived by his two sons, Joseph Murgia and his wife, Marie and his children, Chris, Kathy, Nick, Faith and Hope and, Robert Murgia, Jr. and his children, Dr. Robert Murgia III, Atty. Courtney Murgia and Caitlin Murgia, as well as four great-grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at St. Augustine Church, 43 Essex Street, Andover. Guests are asked to meet directly at the church. Burial will follow in West Parish Garden Cemetery, 129 Reservation Rd., Andover. Memorial contributions in memory of Bob may be sent to Perkins School for the Blind, 175 N. Beacon St., Watertown, MA 02472. For a more complete obituary or to send a condolence, please visit: pollardfuneralhome.com.