Norbert Joseph Murphy

Norbert J. Murphy (Murph), 94, of Sun City West, entered into eternal life on Saturday, February 14, Valentine’s Day, quite fittingly for a quiet, unassuming man with a heart of gold, who generously cared for his family and many others for his long, loving lifetime.

Born in Chicago, Illinois to Joseph and Margaret Murphy, he was one of 14 children. A very faithful youth, Murph actually entered the Catholic seminary, but became incredibly homesick and returned to attend St. Rita High School. He met his wife of 56 years, Dolores, at a high school dance. After marrying in 1951, Murph and Dolores began raising their family of three girls. He spent his entire career working as an engineer for Automatic Electric Company (GTE/Verizon) in Northbrook, Illinois, designing telephone systems and receiving a Patent Award for his ingenuity.

Murph began singing in choirs at the age of eight, and continued to do so throughout his life. He sang lullabies and nursery rhymes to his young daughters and later recorded them for use by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren at bedtime. He committed hundred of songs to memory and often fabricated lyrics to well-known songs to fit everyday occasions. He was passionate about singing.

His faith guided him. To ensure his children received a Catholic education, he took on second jobs in the evenings. Even so, he always made time for his children from playing games, days at the park, building snowmen, ice skating and most importantly coaching them through math homework. Somehow, he also managed to get involved in community theater, the church choir and the community planning commission. Time permitting, he enjoyed, dancing, playing softball and gathering with lifelong friends to play cards. The highlight of every summer was the family vacation to Turtle Lake, Wisconsin, where he taught all of his girls to swim, dive, row a boat, catch nightcrawlers and fish.

Retiring to Sun City West in 1988, Murph immersed himself into his new community. On any given day you could find him at the bowling alley, on the bocce court, the softball field, the golf course, or playing Bridge - unless he was practicing with the Westernaires Chorus or church choir. In addition, he became involved with his Homeowners Association, volunteering to maintain the landscape irrigation systems until he was almost 90! Nearly every weekend, Murph spent time with his three grandchildren watching them grow up. They so enjoyed his playfulness, love, and presence at all of life’s special moments. In order to avoid the scorching Arizona summers, he and Dolores became snowbirds. They purchased and renovated the Murphy family cottage at Turtle Lake. Unforgettable times were spent there with the grandchildren, passing down the same love of the lake he had once shared with his daughters.

At the end of his life, Murph had spent a greater number of years enjoying retirement than he had spent working! Although he lost his wife mid-retirement, he found himself blessed by the companionship of his “lady-friend,” Jacqueline Mindling for the past 14 years.

Murph is proceeded in death by his beloved wife of 56 years, Dolores, and his youngest daughter Jill (Murphy) Marcanti. He is survived by his daughters, Judy Murphy and Jayne (Murphy) Brennan, three grandchildren, Erin (Brennan) Wenz, Ryan Brennan, Lauren (Brennan) Meyer, and three great grandchildren with another on the way.

Murph is most remembered for his fatherly love, faithfulness, patience, willingness to help others and of course, his Irish Tenor singing voice, which rang out at each of his children’s, grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s baptisms and weddings. Murph truly followed the path to JOY (Jesus, Others, Yourself). His life was well-lived.

A viewing will be held on February 23, 2026, from 10:15 AM to 10:45 AM at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, located at 14818 W Deer Valley Dr, Sun City West, AZ 85375.

Following the viewing, a Catholic Funeral Mass will take place at the same venue from 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM.

Luncheon to follow at St. Michael Hall, Prince of Peace Catholic Church.