John J. Murphy Sr.

John J. Murphy, 93 died August 14th, 2013 at the home of his son George, with his family close by. He was born December 21, 1919, in his mother’s family homestead, 25 Center Street Danbury, CT. He was the son of Helen (Gaffney) and James A. Murphy. He attended St. Peter Parochial School, Danbury High School, Holy Cross College, Wooster Ma., with a Bachelor of Science and the University of Maine, Orono, with a Master of Science (Physics).

He spent his first years after college working at the University of Maine in Bangor in the Physics area as well as helping the war effort in academia. Upon the loss of his first wife, Marie Smith Murphy, in 1946 he returned to Danbury with his first child and joined the Teachers College, now Western Ct. University. With the arrival of his fifth son he joined Barden in the research/engineering department. He was manager of the research group in the Beaver Brook plant until Barden consolidated all plants to the Park Avenue site. He continued at Barden until his retirement in the early 90’s. One of his memorable moment while at Barden, during the flight of Apollo 13 he received a call at home in the early morning hours asking if the bearings in the unit would freeze and what was the true range they could handle. His answer was no they would not freeze and they would hold the required range set by NASA for the space unit. With that knowledge NASA was able to make the plan on conservation of energy so the team could return to earth.

Mr. Murphy played a role in the community as well. Although he never accepted the request to run as Mayor of Danbury he was behind the scenes during the city and town consolidation. He served on the Board of Education for the City from 1963 to 1967 and on the Planning Commission for at least twelve years. He is a Past President of the Swamp Field Land Trust now called The Danbury Land Trust.

He had a great love for the city of Danbury and its history.

He served as a Board Member for the Diocese of Bridgeport on two boards. The Education Board under Bishop Curtis and later in the 1990’s on the Board of Pope John Paul II Home here in Danbury.

He served as a member of the Danbury Lions Club. He held many offices for them the longest being Secretary of the local club. He continues as a Life Member.

He served on the Board of Candlewood Knolls Community in the 70’s and 80’s where his mother had a cottage built back in 1931. During his time on the board the water system was rebuilt for today’s usage and needs. His mother told him that a good working water system would hold the community together. He is also a Past President of the Community and received the Live Time Achievement Award from then President James Ogden in 2008.

He is survives by four sons John J. Murphy, Jr. (Betsy), of New Milford. George E. Murphy (Pamela), of Danbury. David M. Murphy (Christine) of Berlin, VT. Lawrence S Murphy, of Houston, TX, and Daughter-in-Law Colleen (Murphy) Morris, of Morris, CT, 12 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife Marie Smith and his second wife of 59 years Rosemary (Bolan) Murphy, his son James A. Murphy, and Daughter-in-Law, Danna Murphy.

Our Family would like to thank his “Harem”, of wonderful caregivers, Gisella, Christina, Astrid, Edna and Mathilda. He would have been lost without all their love, care and attention. He also had many other caregivers over the years from Almost Home of Danbury, Visiting Angels of Brookfield as well as BrightStar of Danbury.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Peter Church on Saturday morning at 9:00am. Burial will follow at St. Peter Cemetery. Friends may call at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury on Friday from 4:00 to 8:00pm.

Contributions in his Memory may be made to St. Peter Church, 104 Main St. Danbury, CT 06810 or to the Lions Club of Danbury P.O. Box 461 Danbury, CT 06810 or to Regional Hospice 39 Old Ridgebury Road Danbury, CT 06810.