Everett R Dunphey

Everett Richard Dunphey, E.R. as he was known to his family and many friends, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 13, 2014. He was born in Merchantville, New Jersey to Everett R. and Marie Elise Dunphey.

His 87 years of life were full of adventures and accomplishments and E.R. lived a life completely of his own design. He grew up in Merchantville, NJ, and in the seventh grade met the beautiful, petite, brunette, Nancy Bottomley, who would eventually become his loving and devoted wife of 65 years. He and Nancy attended Merchantville High School. Named "Class Actor", all who knew him will attest to his able oratorical skills which he honed, during the many plays he acted in once an injury sidelined his high school football career. Upon graduation, he served in the Merchant Marines and traveled across the globe to return our soldiers home from the war zones of the Pacific. He spoke often of his times at sea and it sparked a lifelong love for travel and a sharing of stories with the people he met along the way.

Upon the conclusion of his service with the Merchant Marines, he studied pre-med at Duke University, graduating in 1950. While at Duke, he was a commissioned officer with the Coast Guard and attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

Instead of choosing the path of medicine, E.R. opted for a career in business and upon his graduation started working for Atlantic Refining Company in Philadelphia. He spent four years with the company but the pull of the ocean and the opportunity to create his own business eventually drew him to Beach Haven, NJ, where his family had summered for many years. He and Nancy moved to Long Beach Island and happily raised their family of five children. In addition to building a large family, E.R. built a successful contracting business whose buildings now span the East Coast. He was a man of immense energy and imagination who loved nothing more than having the opportunity to create a project from a blank slate. E.R. was active in his community and served two terms as a Commissioner in Beach Haven from 1962 through 1970. He was also a member of the Order of Free Masons.

A voracious reader and inspiring conversationalist, E.R. was a warrior in all aspects of his life and he particularly loved physical contests. He boxed, played tennis, golf, racquetball, squash, and skied well into his 80s. Woe to the opponent who faced him in racquet sports, as his ambidextrous ability allowed him to switch his grip from right hand to left in order to avoid hitting a backhand shot. He and Nancy loved to travel, enjoying Bermuda, the Caribbean Islands as well as visiting their roots in England and Scotland. In keeping with his spirit of adventure, he enjoyed white water rafting in Idaho, California and the former Yugoslavia.

Nothing was more important to E.R. than the family he and Nancy raised amidst Beach Haven's shores. He is survived by his loving wife, Nancy, his five children and their spouses, Richard and Patricia Dunphey of Manahawkin, NJ;Kenneth Scott and Rose Dunphey of Monument, Co.;William and Vasanthi Dunphey of Freehold, NJ; Leslie and Robert Ades of San Rafael, Ca. and Lisa and James Wardle of Toms River, NJ. He leaves a brother, Orman Dunphey of Yardley, Pa. and was predeceased by his two sisters, Patricia Dunphey, and Jeanne Gabrielle Dunphey. He is also survived by fourteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The family will celebrate his life on Saturday, September 20,2014 at the Lutheran Church, 333 North Main St (Rte. 9), Manahawkin. The service will begin at 2:00PM. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Shinn Funeral Home, 10 Hilliard Dr. Manahawkin, NJ 08050.

For on line condolences, please visit www.shinnfuneralhome.com

Memorial donations may be made in Richard's name to the Wounded Warriors, Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675