John A.D. Murphy
February 25, 1934 ~ June 15, 2020
John Aloysius Daniel Murphy passed away peacefully on June 15, 2020, after a prolonged battle with cancer. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Melica Murphy, née Kracinovich. For more than two years he was blessed with the compassionate care of his daughter Lisa, her husband Jack and, in his final months, his daughter Carol.
Dad was, first and foremost, a devoted servant of God. Over the course of his life, his deep Catholic convictions helped him through a number of challenging times, all of which he approached with optimism and faith. He was a fixture at daily Mass and his strong moral compass guided him in all decisions.
Originally from Jersey City, NJ, Dad’s life was forever altered when on April 27, 1942, he became an orphan when his parents were tragically killed in a bus accident. He was raised primarily by his Aunt Barbara and his Uncle Jim. Because of their shared loss, his siblings developed a lifetime devotion to one another, resulting in annual extended family picnics and regular Murphy Meetings marked by stories, laughter, and the occasional heated political disagreement. There was also universal attendance at the graduations, communions and confirmations of his many nieces and nephews and, in later years, afternoon visits with family and friends on the front porch of the Murphy home in Sea Girt, NJ.
John married Melica, the love of his life, the same month he graduated from the College of the Holy Cross. She was an executive secretary in Jersey City, a transplant from the coal mining town of Simpson, PA, and Dad was initially drawn to Mom because, as the story goes, he took notice of her shapely legs. Mom took primary responsibility for raising their growing family in New Jersey while Dad first served in the United States Navy and then worked diligently to support his wife and children.
Dad was a passionate family man and is survived by his five children: Steven (Alison) Murphy, Carol Murphy, Lois (Jim) Ens, Ellen (Tom) Cushing, and Lisa (Jack) Nihill. He is also survived by his sixteen grandchildren, one great-grandchild, a multitude of nieces and nephews and, of course, his two beloved sisters-in-law, Jean Murphy and Joan Murphy.
Dad was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel and Sophia Murphy, and brothers, Richard, Daniel, Vincent, Raymond, Jerry, and sister, Ronnie, as well as his sisters-in-law, Lorraine, Marie, Mary, and brother-in-law Henry Rybak.
Dad had both a career and, at approximately the midpoint of his life, a calling. His career was as an executive at Burroughs Corporation (now Unisys), working primarily in New Jersey, Michigan and, finally, Florida.
His calling was as an educator. He was a professor of accounting at Palm Beach State College and an adjunct professor at Florida Atlantic University, both in Florida. He also earned his PhD from Florida Atlantic University. A highlight during this stage of his life was when he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to teach for a year in Tirana, Albania. During the approximately 25 years that he spent in the classroom, Dad relished his interactions with students, especially those who returned to college in order to better themselves as he, himself, had done.
Fun Facts about Dad. He loved crumb cake, White Castle hamburgers and hotdogs from both Howard Johnson’s and Nathan’s Famous. His only memory of his high school football career was going out for a long pass and, when the football sailed through his outstretched arms, he caught it with the wrong part of his body. The last film he saw in a movie theater was, as family legend has it, Casablanca. His extremely limited record collection consisted exclusively of Herb Albert & The Tijuana Brass. His drink of choice was a Gin & Tonic. He did people’s tax returns for fun.
Dad will be so deeply missed. He was a good man, an honest man. It is reassuring to know that while his wife has lost a husband and his children have lost a father, he is now with the mother and father he has missed since he was eight.
His wife and family ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Mark Catholic Church (215 Crescent Parkway, Sea Girt, NJ 08750) or St. Lucy Catholic Church (3510 S. Ocean Blvd, Highland Beach, FL 33487).
A Mass of the Resurrection will be held on June 23, 2020, at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Vienna, VA. A celebration of life will be held in Sea Girt, NJ, at a later date.
Dad was, first and foremost, a devoted servant of God. Over the course of his life, his deep Catholic convictions helped him through a number of challenging times, all of which he approached with optimism and faith. He was a fixture at daily Mass and his strong moral compass guided him in all decisions.
Originally from Jersey City, NJ, Dad’s life was forever altered when on April 27, 1942, he became an orphan when his parents were tragically killed in a bus accident. He was raised primarily by his Aunt Barbara and his Uncle Jim. Because of their shared loss, his siblings developed a lifetime devotion to one another, resulting in annual extended family picnics and regular Murphy Meetings marked by stories, laughter, and the occasional heated political disagreement. There was also universal attendance at the graduations, communions and confirmations of his many nieces and nephews and, in later years, afternoon visits with family and friends on the front porch of the Murphy home in Sea Girt, NJ.
John married Melica, the love of his life, the same month he graduated from the College of the Holy Cross. She was an executive secretary in Jersey City, a transplant from the coal mining town of Simpson, PA, and Dad was initially drawn to Mom because, as the story goes, he took notice of her shapely legs. Mom took primary responsibility for raising their growing family in New Jersey while Dad first served in the United States Navy and then worked diligently to support his wife and children.
Dad was a passionate family man and is survived by his five children: Steven (Alison) Murphy, Carol Murphy, Lois (Jim) Ens, Ellen (Tom) Cushing, and Lisa (Jack) Nihill. He is also survived by his sixteen grandchildren, one great-grandchild, a multitude of nieces and nephews and, of course, his two beloved sisters-in-law, Jean Murphy and Joan Murphy.
Dad was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel and Sophia Murphy, and brothers, Richard, Daniel, Vincent, Raymond, Jerry, and sister, Ronnie, as well as his sisters-in-law, Lorraine, Marie, Mary, and brother-in-law Henry Rybak.
Dad had both a career and, at approximately the midpoint of his life, a calling. His career was as an executive at Burroughs Corporation (now Unisys), working primarily in New Jersey, Michigan and, finally, Florida.
His calling was as an educator. He was a professor of accounting at Palm Beach State College and an adjunct professor at Florida Atlantic University, both in Florida. He also earned his PhD from Florida Atlantic University. A highlight during this stage of his life was when he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to teach for a year in Tirana, Albania. During the approximately 25 years that he spent in the classroom, Dad relished his interactions with students, especially those who returned to college in order to better themselves as he, himself, had done.
Fun Facts about Dad. He loved crumb cake, White Castle hamburgers and hotdogs from both Howard Johnson’s and Nathan’s Famous. His only memory of his high school football career was going out for a long pass and, when the football sailed through his outstretched arms, he caught it with the wrong part of his body. The last film he saw in a movie theater was, as family legend has it, Casablanca. His extremely limited record collection consisted exclusively of Herb Albert & The Tijuana Brass. His drink of choice was a Gin & Tonic. He did people’s tax returns for fun.
Dad will be so deeply missed. He was a good man, an honest man. It is reassuring to know that while his wife has lost a husband and his children have lost a father, he is now with the mother and father he has missed since he was eight.
His wife and family ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Mark Catholic Church (215 Crescent Parkway, Sea Girt, NJ 08750) or St. Lucy Catholic Church (3510 S. Ocean Blvd, Highland Beach, FL 33487).
A Mass of the Resurrection will be held on June 23, 2020, at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Vienna, VA. A celebration of life will be held in Sea Girt, NJ, at a later date.
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John was a good friend. It was an honor to know John. We worked together at PBSC for a number years. He was a brilliant man who will be sorely missed by all who knew him. He had a nice smile and good words to say about people. I wish all of John’s family well during this difficult time.
It was always fun to be properly “abused” when stumbeling into a Murphy Meeting! Love and sympathy for the loss of Uncle John. Bryan Traynor.
We were so saddened to learn of John’s death. We had the great privilege of becoming friends through Mellica first and then in Saint Lucys Church in Florida and shared many memories through the years. In NJ, we also were able to spend lots of mornings and afternoons at his beautiful home in Sea Girt and they also visited us in Lavallette. We shared many stories, both of his family and ours. Our great breakfasts in Florida which were a lot of them, and in Sea Girt on the boardwalk were so much fun and also the hours on the rocking chairs overlooking the ocean and talking to John and Mellica. He was so proud of his family and always asked about ours. Our son who is an instructor at the State Trooper academy in Sea Girt finally got to meet them last year. Mellica said “Hes very handsome”!! John will be in our prayers always and we send our sincere sympathy to all his family. Nick and Carol Onnembo
Dear Murphy Family, We will always cherish the memories of “Uncle John” and “Aunt Millie” coming over to visit the O’Toole and Tomeo Families. Christmas visits from the Murphy cousins were always so much fun! Our mom Claire (O’Toole) Tomeo was especially close to John because they were so close in age and grew up together in Jersey City. We send you our sympathy and condolences during this sad time. May your memories give you happiness in the times ahead! With our love, Our Dad (Benjamin Tomeo), David and Robin Tomeo and Family, Joe and Aline Dymkowsky and Family and Robert and Christina Tomeo and Family
Our prayers go out to the Murphy family during your lost. Carol, my God comfort and give you safe travels when you return home. The Murrays
Mr. Murphy was very much a gentleman and a scholar, always warm and welcoming to me and my family. His devotion to his own family, especially his beloved Melica, is an inspiration. My husband, David Kozinski, and I send our affection and thoughts to Steve, his sisters and their families, as well as to Mrs. Murphy. May Mr. Murphy rest in well-deserved peace.
Dear Melica, My deepest sympathy to you and your family in the loss of your dear John. I only learned of his passing when I saw a Mass was recently offered for him at St. Lucy. I was touched when he came to visit my Jep shortly before he passed away in Feb. 2017. They were both educators. I so appreciated your support and help when I was president of the CCW in 1998-99. God bless you! Joan Lanning