Joseph Bernard Murphy

joseph murphy
Joseph Bernard Murphy

Joseph Bernard Murphy, age 93, of Annandale, VA, formerly of Vienna, VA, died on Monday, November 9, 2020. Born May 22, 1927 in Hoboken, NJ, he was the youngest of eight children, son of the late Vincent Paul Murphy and Julia Theresa Mullins.

He is survived by two daughters, Mary Murphy Hyland (Chuck) of Fairfax, VA, Julie Murphy Wells (Greg) of Arlington, VA, two sons, John Patrick Murphy (Barbara) of Falls Church, VA, Michael Joseph Murphy (Sherin) of Warrenton, VA, and thirteen grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Katherine Louise Burleigh Murphy, and a fourteenth grandchild, Mary Katherine “Katy” Hyland.

Joe was a graduate of St. Peter’s College in Jersey City, NJ and Georgetown University in Washington, D.C, where he first met and fell in love with a Georgetown nursing student named Kitty. They were married on February 16, 1957 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Washington, D.C.

A biochemist by education, Joe was employed for over fifty years in both the public and private sectors. He worked for a variety of different companies and agencies, including the National Institute of Health (NIH), Parke-Davis, Hazelton Laboratories, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

While he enjoyed his work, he was always happiest spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren, particularly family vacations at Rehoboth Beach, DE, and the Outer Banks, NC.

Joe was also recognized as the #1 fan of Eddie From Ohio, the band his daughter, Julie, sang with. He will forever be known by the dance he created, “The Joe”, that accompanied the band’s song, “The Three Fine Daughters of Farmer Brown”.

A private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with family. Post COVID, a Celebration of Life Mass and reception will be scheduled for all.

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  1. I remember the fun 4ths of July in Ridgefield Park, with the VA Murphy’s. If not for Joe, I wouldn’t have just marked my 25th year with the DEA, as he was the one who told me about the position. In addition, he invited me to spend Thanksgiving with the family when I was in Quantico at training. I will be forever grateful to Joe for steering me into a wonderful career. I am very sorry for the loss of your father and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Claire (McClintock) Brennan

  2. One day I was @ work styling Kitty’s hair and in comes Joe. He started singing in his deep voice “Rosalie My Darling”. A very old song my Grandfather use to play for me on the Victorla. It meant so very much to me. What a very beautiful moment. I shall always treasure that memory. Kitty and Joe were truly two very Happy, fun loving, family first people. They are in my heart forever.

  3. I first met Joe in 1972 when he came to work at the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs which merged into the Drug Enforcement Administration in 1973, We became fast friends when we learned we had several things in common such as both of us going to a Jesuit high school and both of us receiving a degree from Georgetown University. Both being Irish didn’t hurt either. Kitty and Joe were married at Holy Trinity Church in 1957 and Bonney and I were married there ten years later in 1967. Joe and I had several memorable adventures at DEA, both in the office and outside: St. Patrick’s Day celebrations where Joe was always the life of the party and the quiet weekends at the Loyola Retreat House in southern Maryland were special. The car pool rides in the Blue Goose were never dull. We first saw EFO at Quigley’s restaurant on Columbia Pike in Arlington in the early 1990s. It was a far cry from Wolf Trap and The Birchmere. I’m glad Joe was able to retire and enjoy many years with Kitty, his children and grandchildren. Family was first with Joe. I’m also Joe and I were friends all these years. Requiescat in Pace, Joe. Jim Sheahan


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