John Eugene Murnane Jr. ’45

Jack Murnane died June 22, 2003, from complications of Alzheimer's. He was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery, a fitting site in light of his bombing runs over Germany with the 8th Air Force during WWII.

Jack entered Princeton from Millard West Point Preparatory School in DC and joined Dial Lodge. His attendance was interrupted by service as a bombardier on B-17s, at one point flying lead plane on a food relief mission into Holland. He remained in the Air Force Reserve until 1974, retiring as a major.

Jack earned a bachelor's in economics in 1948, then worked for the State of New Jersey for 15 years in appraisal and land acquisition. In 1950 he married the former Elizabeth Downs. When Jack joined the Federal Highway Administration in 1963 as a real estate specialist, he and Betty moved to DC, where she worked for George Mason U.

Jack found satisfaction in working for the Boys' Club and for the Boy Scouts. Betty observed that the Princeton gentleman she married was too modest when tallying his assets.

The class will miss this loyal Princetonian, as will Betty and sons John E., Timothy D., Michael R., and Christopher P.; daughter Elizabeth A. Galantich; and 11 grandchildren. The class extends its sympathy to the family.

The Class of 1945