Stephen C Murphy

Born June 29, 1954 to Thomas and Ruth Murphy. Stephen was the third of seven children. He is survived by his sisters Margaret (Peggy) Mulherin (Fran), Patricia (Patti) Madden (Fred), Mary Murphy, Susan Hopkins (Richard), and brother Matthew Murphy (Michelle). Stephen has many nieces and nephews and their children. Preceding Stephen in death are his brother Thomas Michael Murphy and his parents Thomas Murphy and Ruth (Jackson) Murphy.

Steve entered the Navy after high school graduation in July of 1972. He was sent to basic training and A-school at Great Lakes Naval Base in North Chicago, Illinois. He was then sent to sonar school in Key West, Florida. Upon completion of sonar school, he was assigned to the USS Barry, home ported in Athens, Greece. It was in Greece that he met his bride, Kathleen Thomas.

Steve and Kathy were married on March 25, 1976 in Pensacola, Florida. Their family grew from two to six within the first eight years of their marriage. Erin Kolb (Scott), Casey Murphy (Grazia), Daniel Murphy, Lauren Kent (Matthew). Their family continued to grow with the addition of thirteen grandchildren Kyra Philbrick, Serafina Kolb, Matteo Kolb, Mia Kolb, Alana Murphy, Adam Murphy, Andrew Murphy, Avalyn Murphy, Emily Murphy, Thomas Murphy, Noreena Kent, David Kent and Madeline Kent.

Steve had the opportunity to join Local 8 Carpenter’s Union in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania the fall of 1979. He worked and learned to be a master carpenter and attained to the level of site superintendent of many major projects in Philadelphia. Steve had always dreamed of moving to Florida after experiencing Florida living in Key West. He and his family moved to the Englewood area in October 1992. He had the opportunity of building and supervise the building of many beautiful homes on Little Gasparilla and Palm Islands.

On the night of February 8, 1998, Steve and Kathy’s lives suddenly changed. They were involved in a motorcycle accident that left Steve paralyzed from the chest down and in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Steve decided to go back to school to get a degree in architectural design. He graduated from Manatee Community College December 2003. He was able to obtain a position with Kimall Lumber where he designed roof and floor truss. He found this new phase of construction challenging as well as rewarding. But unfortunately, with crash of the housing market in 2007 he was now retired.

Steve now filled his time with watching old cowboy shows. He was diligent in his pursuit of watching every episode of such shows as Have Gun Will Travel, Rawhide, Wagon Train and Cheyenne. His most current goal was to watch every one of the episodes of Gunsmoke, which ran for 20 years. Unfortunately, he was not able to achieve that goal. He also watched Fox News to keep himself well informed in national and world events.

After the accident Steve also became very involved with the Masons. He joined the Blue Lodge in Venice in 2004. He decided to qualify for every position, working the chairs until he attained the level, Master of the Lodge in 2017. He continued to volunteer in the operation of the lodge in the capacity of secretary or treasure for several years after he was Master. He joined many different lodges, Sahib Shrine, Knights Templar, Scottish Rite and most recently the Widows Sons motorcycle group. Steve always made himself available to participate in degree programs, even at the last minute. He knew every part.

In lieu of flowers the family ask that you make a donation to the Masonic Home Endowment, an organization Steve greatly enjoyed. To donate, go to www.masonichomefl.com, scroll to bottom of the page, select “Giving” then select Masonic Home Endowment Fund in Memory of Stephen Murphy.