John Gerard Murphy

John G. Murphy, Lieutenant at Engine 21, SFFD, passed away at home on January 28, 2014. John was 49 years old. John entered the SFFD in December 1989. He was followed into the department by his brother, Derek Murphy, currently working at Truck 3, his brother-in-law, Bernie Maguire, Engine 2 and his sister-in-law, Carla Murphy, Engine 2. John approached his job with passion and went out of his way to instruct and mentor new firefighters both before and after he promoted to lieutenant. He took great pleasure in seeing things done right and "everyone going home in the morning" was his top priority.

As seriously as John took his job, nothing was more important to him than his family. He found his true love and best friend when he met his beautiful wife, Kim, and his eyes lit up with pride whenever he spoke about his son, Marshall and his daughter, Lauren.

John died from an extremely aggressive metastasized melanoma. During the rapid progression of his illness, John never succumbed to self-pity, instead he spent his energy reassuring his loved ones and fighting his battle against the cancer. John expressed his desire to get back out on the motorcycle he loved so well and told his family that he "had no regrets, no bucket list...he would like just a second helping of the things he loved most". He will be missed and remembered by those who knew and loved him for his great enthusiasm in all his pursuits!

John is survived by his wife of 23 years, Kim and his two children, Marshall and Lauren, his parents, John Murphy and Arlene Kelly, and his sister and brother, Corinne (Bernie) Maguire and their children, Patrick, Elizabeth and Colin, and his brother Derek (Carla) Murphy and their children, William and Christopher along with a large loving extended family of in-laws, nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, February 10, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Monica's Church, 470 24th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94121, 415-751-5275, followed by a private burial. Memorial contributions can be made to the San Francisco Firefighters Cancer Prevention Foundation, c/o IAFF Local 798, 1189 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 or online at: www.sffcpf.org.

Arrangements under the direction of The Paul Mortuary, Pacific Grove, CA.