Robert Daniel Murphy, M.d.

Robert Daniel Murphy, M.D. 84, of Wethersfield, beloved husband for 62 years of Mary (Foss) Murphy, died Friday, (May 18, 2007). Born in Brockton, MA he was the son of the late Mary A. Sullivan and Dennis P. Murphy, who was one of the firefighters who perished in the Brockton Strand Theater fire in 1941. He attended Tufts University and graduated from Tufts College of Medicine in 1947. Dr. Murphy served his internship and residency at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford and was a practicing physician in Wethersfield for forty years. Known as an excellent diagnostician, he provided compassionate care to many generations of local residents. He was Chief of Medical Staff at St. Francis Hospital, a member of the medical staff and clinical teaching staff for over forty years, and served as physician in the Hartford and Wethersfield School Systems. He was drafted into the U.S. Air Force and served during the Korean War at Otis Air Force Base where he established the military hospital. After serving his country, he returned to his practice and raising his family. He spearheaded the efforts to develop the Wethersfield Volunteer Ambulance Association. Over his lifetime he enjoyed many hobbies. He was a recreational pilot, a skier, boater, and an avid golfer and member of Wethersfield Country Club. Besides his wife he is survived by their 8 children, Judith Keane, Kevin Murphy, Kathleen Dolan and her husband Dr. Thomas Dolan, Barbara Curran and her husband John Curran, Maureen Willsey and her husband Thomas Willsey, all of Wethersfield; Denis Murphy of Santa Cruz, California, Brendan Murphy of Washington, D.C., Marilyn Fortier and her husband Jeffrey Fortier of Aurora, Colorado. His 19 grandchildren will greatly miss their ""Papa"", including Sean and his wife Colleen Keane, Timothy and his wife Heather Keane, Daniel, Patrick and Matthew Keane, Erin and her husband Benjamin Craft, Sarah Dolan and her husband Carl Moeller, Brendan Dolan, Karen, Sandra, Julie and Andrew Fortier, Melissa, Ryan and Allison Curran, Paige Vila, Molly Willsey, Laura Willsey and her husband David Hoff, and Gregory Willsey. His great-grandchildren include, Conor, Abigail and Riley Keane, McKenzie and Lyndsey Keane, and Averie Hoff. He was predeceased by his brothers, Dr. Thomas J. Murphy and Dr. Edward F. Murphy, and his son-in-law Richard M. Keane. The funeral is Monday with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Corpus Christi Church, 601 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield. Everyone attending is asked to gather directly at church. The family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday from 4-8 p.m. at the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd. Wethersfield. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Richard M. Keane Foundation, PO Box 290742, Wethersfield, CT 06129-0742 or a charity of the donor's choice. For on-line expressions of sympathy please visit www.desopo.com.