Walter Murphy

Walter G. Murphy, 83, of Madison, passed away at his home on Friday, August 12, 2011 surrounded by his family. He leaves behind his wife of 52 years, Carol Cassidy Murphy; his children: Walter (Jerry) and Susan Murphy, Megan M. and William Thompson, Michael and Phyllis Murphy, Ellen M. and Felipe Illanes, and Maura M. and William Leone; and 12 adoring grandchildren who knew him as "Pop Pop": Matthew and Madeleine Murphy, Alexandra and Isabel Thompson, Cassidy and Shane Murphy, Tomas, Andres and Miguel Illanes, and Michael, Gabriella and Nicolas Leone. He also leaves behind 2 brothers-in-law, 4 sisters-in-law, 19 nieces and nephews, and his dear friends, the Ponts, Lightfoots, Walshes, Landises and Kinneys. Son of the late Alice Ahearn Murphy and John J. Murphy, he was born on May 26, 1928 in Meriden, CT. He attended Wallingford schools and graduated from Bryant College in 1951. From late 1946 to 1948, he served in the U.S. Army with the U.S. occupation forces in Japan. For 14 years, he joined his family in running Murphy Bros. Trucking Co. After that, he worked in sales in the transportation industry. Before retiring, he worked for United Cleaning and Restoration for several years. Walt had a life-long love of and dedication to singing: he was a member of the Wallingford Chorale and then the Shoreline Chorale for 45 years. For the past 10 years, he was active in the Shoreline Men Over Sixty and in the annual Children's Fair for Juvenile Diabetes, delivered Meals on Wheels for 3 years, and was a communicant of St. Margaret Church in Madison. He loved spending time with family and friends, traveling with Carol, attending his grandchildren's sports and music activities, reading about WWII and the Civil War, and was a life-long Red Sox fan. He was predeceased by his sister Barbara Gallino, and brothers John and Charles Murphy. He will be terribly missed by all those who love him. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 19th at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Margaret Church, 24 Academy St., Madison. The Murphy family will receive family and friends at the Swan Funeral Home, 825 Boston Post Road, Madison on Thursday, August 18th from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Please visit www.swanfuneralhomemadison.com to view memorial tribute. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Walt's memory to: JDRF Greater New Haven, 2969 Whitney Ave., Hamden, CT 06518