Joseph P. Murphy

Joseph P. Murphy, 83, husband of Laurie (Long) Murphy of Newtown, died July 2, at Danbury Hospital after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis and blood clots of the lungs. Mr Murphy was born in Melrose, Mass., November 4, 1925, the eldest son of Joseph Patrick and Mary Eunice (Divver) Murphy.

In addition to his wife of 48 years, Mr Murphy leaves his son, Sean and his wife, JoAnn; his brother, John and his wife, Alice; and several nieces and nephews in Massachusetts, Florida, and Canada.

Mr Murphy was a member of St Rose of Lima Church in Newtown where he was a lector and Eucharistic minister. He was one of the originators of the annual parish carnival and was a member of Virgilius Council, Knights of Columbus.

 During his 25-year employment with Avco Lycoming as an aeronautical engineer, he was credited with being the co-owner of two patents. He was assigned to represent the company at the meeting of the International Engineers Convention in Amsterdam in 1988.

Mr Murphy was an avid pilot certified in single and multiengine airplanes and was an instructor in glider flying. He owned his own glider as a member of the Nutmeg Soaring Association.

He loved to read and watch Fox News all day long, and loved his “grandpuppy,” Barney.

The family thanks all the staff of Danbury Hospital for their kind help, especially the staff on the eighth floor for their exceptional care of Mr Murphy.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in St Rose of Lima Church, July 8. Interment followed in St Rose Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the St Rose of Lima Memorial Fund, 46 Church Hill Road,  Newtown CT 06470.

The Newtown Bee        July 10, 2009