David I. Murphy

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David I. Murphy, 83, of Cromwell, husband of the late Mary Lou (Hickey) Murphy, died on Saturday, December 17, 2016 at Apple Rehab in Cromwell CT. Born in Clinton, MA, he was the son of the late Henry J. and Mary F. (McLaughlin) Murphy and had lived in Cromwell since 1957.

David was a graduate of Clinton High School class of 1951. His yearbook quote was "Love the game beyond the prize" which is how he lived his life. In 1955, David graduated from Fitchburg State College (now Fitchburg State University) with a Bachelor's degree in education, lettered in three sports (soccer, basketball and baseball), and is a member of Fitchburg's sports hall of fame. After graduation, David volunteered for the US Navy and served 2 years aboard the battleship USS Wisconsin where he got to "see the world": going as far north as Scotland, going through the Panama Canal, crossing the equator and travelling as far south as Chile. After his Navy service, David married his college sweetheart, Mary Lou and moved to Cromwell in 1957.

He taught in the Cromwell schools for six years. During this time, David earned a Masters of Education and Certification in Special Education from the University of Hartford. In 1963, David accepted a special education teaching position in the Wethersfield CT School district where he continued to teach until his retirement in 1990.

Besides teaching, David was very active in service to the town of Cromwell and local civic organizations. He served 28 years on the Cromwell board of selectman. He also served on many town and civic boards, including the police commission, inland wetlands committee, zoning board of appeals, fire commission and the Democratic town committee.

David also devoted time and service to organizations including the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, the Cromwell Historical Society, and the Cromwell Little League. At St. John's Church, he has taught religious education, served on the parish council and had been a sexton, lector and Eucharistic minister. David loved his family above all and always put them first.

He was a devoted husband, a loving father and a beloved "Grampy". He was at his happiest when he had his family gathered around. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren grow up and took pride and interest in their many activities and accomplishments.

Along with his wife, Mary Lou, and parents, David was predeceased by his brother Daniel and his sisters, Mary, and Gertrude.

David is survived by two sons, Thomas G. Murphy and his wife Carol Traynor of Bedford, NH, and Timothy D. Murphy and his wife Janet of Cromwell; two daughters, Lu Ann Murphy of Norwalk, and Mary E. Wolak and her husband Frank of Rockfall; one sister, Anne McGuire of Southboro MA; seven grandchildren, John and David Wolak, Ryan, Jacquelyn, Megan, Niamh and Aoife Murphy.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 27 from the Cromwell Funeral Home, 506 Main Street, Cromwell at 9:00 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am at Saint John Church in Cromwell. Burial will follow in the State Veterans' Cemetery where full military honor will be accorded.

Family and friends may call on Monday, December 26 from 3:00 to 7:00 pm at the Cromwell Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations in David's memory may be made to Saint John Church, 5 Saint John Court, Cromwell, CT 06416. To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.

Doolittle Funeral Home (Cromwell) - December 2016





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