Dr. Denis Michael Murphy

Dr. Denis Michael Murphy passed away on 14 October 2024 after a courageous and daunting ten year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was born on 25 November1944 and was just shy of a planned 80th birthday party.

Denis was the youngest of four sons, Jim, Tom and John, born to James Edward and Catherine O’ Connor Murphy, in Garden City, NY. His father instilled in Denis a love of photography and a life-long passion for gardening and nature. His mother called him “The Mailman” because he always delivered on every given task. Denis was an exceptional student, earning top grades throughout his education. He attended Xavier High School in New York City and The College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts, culminating in a distinguished first-place finish at New York Medical College. This earned an internship at the esteemed Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. After his education, Denis served his country as a Major in the U.S. Air Force, stationed in Athens, Greece during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. Upon his return, Denis joined his brother’s practice. Dr Tom Murphy was a beloved oncologist in West Palm Beach and thus their partnership began a forty year practice in gastroenterology and service to others. Denis cared for dignitaries, titans of business, sports stars, socialites and those who couldn’t afford medical care. He treated all patients with equal care and compassion, and was beloved by his patients. Well into his final years of practicing medicine, he would loyally continue his house calls despite the complications that Parkinson’s imposed. The saddest day in his life was the day he retired.

While his office walls were a testament to his professional achievements, he considered his family and friends to be his greatest treasures. His friends from his youngest days in Garden City, NY: Chuck and MaryAnn Mansfield, Mike and Maggie Mansfield and Jimmy Norwood. The founding members of The Rinkachous of America, enacted their secret handshake and enforced club rules at every reunion for 75 years to everyone’s delight. Their love was boundless. His colleagues were his loyal companions to their core. Whether it was a spontaneous party, a poker game or a game of bridge, or the retired doctor’s luncheon each week, these occasions became the highlight of his days. .Dr Gus Schwartz, Dr Ron Scelfo, Dr Jim Cooper and Dr David Ahr spearheaded these outings and when Denis couldn’t attend , they visited him at home or in hospital. This went on for years. The very definition of friendship and compassion. Dr Bill Eickhoff and Vicki always made him laugh and feel loved whether watching a football game together or praying together for his well-being.

He had lifelong friends that always stepped up to help him with anything he needed: Chris Bustani and Terry, Renea and Harold Hutchings, Chris Kelly, Sarah Irato,Larry Smith, Esq, Lillian, Kathleen O’Connor, Bonnie, Cecilia and Nadine, Bob and Diane Quinlan. These people are all gifted healers who knew when Denis was most in need and continuously showed up for years.

Denis was deeply grateful for the medical care he received as his illness progressed. There are special spots in Heaven reserved for the kindness and care bestowed on him by those friends and doctors. There was mutual gratitude, respect, understanding, compassion and love that always kept him anchored to them and to possibilities and hope to keep going on. Dr Alice Flaherty, from Mass. General Hospital, was a warrior for transforming and stabilizing his treatments for Parkinson’s her impact on his final years cannot be overstated. She answered every call, regardless of the hour and her advice was inspiring and always perfect. The same goes for Dr Laura Balda, and her amazing assistant, Kim, Dr Kenneth Fuquay who was always so considerate and the ever present and faithful friends, Dr Keith Meyer, Dr Phil Scharfer, Dr Corneliu Luca, UofM, Dr Kleper De Almeida, Drs Alexander Carden and David Dodson, and their office staff, particularly Juanita and Pat whom Denis joined the last year of practicing. They were all angels. Special thanks to his beloved patients at Lost Tree, to Peter and Paula Lunder, who facilitated a miraculous, lifesaving heart procedure at Mass General, while they were on vacation in Europe. Thanks to Dr Rahul Sakuja for restoring his heart to normal. Final thanks to the last Doctor that Denis saw, who made a deep impression on us all. Two weeks before he passed away, Denis was told he needed critical care for his lungs. Dr Sixto Alejandro Arias at UofM promptly agreed to see Denis, despite no available appointments until mid-November. He compassionately offered to care for Denis at any time Denis needed him, as though he’d known him forever. He walked in defeated and came out with the optimism and courage to tackle another day.

How do you thank the angels who cared for Denis at home these past six years? Their professionalism, skilled care and competence paled in comparison to the kindness, respect, patience and love they showed to Denis. Special love, gratitude and blessings to Ferdinand Andres, Diejuste Gertin and Dr Manuel Roxas. Simply, amazing human beings.

Denis’ brother Tom’s family always included their Uncle Denis. Tom’s wife, Mary, established that bond of friendship with Denis when she and Tom got married. On the way to start their honeymoon, they stopped to see the family in Garden City and decided to start their day at the beach. Denis ran upstairs, put his bathing suit on and announced that he was ready to join them. It still makes the family laugh. Mary remained his devoted friend, more like a sister, their whole life. Their children, Kathleen, Sean, Timothy, Erin, Michael and his amazingly devoted God daughter, Trish, enthusiastically and lovingly helped in anyway, at any time for anything. Trish was his unwavering lifeline repeatedly. He always remembered his sister-in-law, Kitty, as the person who made his brother John so happy and he loved her for that and her special caring heart.

Denis is survived by the family he loved most of all. He was totally devoted to his beloved daughter, Tracy, and his equally beloved granddaughter, Mira. He was so happy to attend Mira’s wedding.

His son, Kevin, who brought a special joy nightly with calls of love and laughter that restored him, Kevins great wife, Rita , and their beautiful children, Ben and Lydia. Their mother, Joan, remained a dear friend. Everything was about his boundless love for his family.

Those who knew Denis best will remember him playing and singing John Denver music so often that he was nicknamed Johnny D. His love of dancing, listening to a symphony, flying a plane, having a great steak and a martini or two, ice cream of any flavor, his dog, Buddy, a game of poker, for quarters, which he usually won, a great joke, a big laugh, ball games of any sport, going to the Masters, picking a gardenia for Lily and always, anytime spent with his family. Those defined Denis.

He loved being loved, loved peace and laughter, disdained unkindness and strife. Denis was ravaged by Parkinson’s but never did anyone hear him complain, ever. His fortitude, his grace, his kindness and his love will echo in our hearts forever. His determination and bravery served as an example for all of us. He was a true healer to the very end.

His enduring and loving friendship with Lily began with two people toppled by suffering, from very sad circumstances-forged in empathy and understanding and blessed with a special bond of love and trust that nothing could break despite distance or disease.

He will be missed and loved always. His memory will be our blessing.

“NOW CRACKS A NOBLE HEART.

GOOD NIGHT, SWEET PRINCE

AND FLIGHTS OF ANGELS SING THEE TO THY REST.”

Denis was a generous man who supported many worthy causes close to his heart. In lieu of flowers, those so inclined are asked to make donations in his memory to St. Benedict Abbey, 252 Still River Rd. Still River, MA 01467, Dare 2 Care Pam Beach, 6231 P.G.A. Blvd Suite 104-221, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418 or Big Dog Ranch Rescue,14444 Okeechobee Blvd, Loxahatchee, FL33470

A visitation for Denis will be held Thursday, November 7, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Howard-Quattlebaum Funeral Cremation and Event Center, 754 Us Highway 1, North Palm Beach, FL 33408. A funeral mass will occur Friday, November 8, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St Patrick Catholic Church, 13591 Prosperity Farms Rd, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410. Interment at Riverside Memorial Park in Tequesta to follow.