Northport, New York
His Wife's Cheerleader
"Look! They're cleaning my office," he had said, pointing from the deck of the Spirit of New York as it cruised beneath the twin towers. Not that he could really see his desk pressed against the window at Marsh & McLennan on the 100th floor, where he drank in the inverse view daily.
It was Sept. 7, a welcome night out for Kevin J. Murphy and his wife, Beth. Melanoma is a slippery cancer, and hers had returned in May 2000. On Valentine's Day, she had her last treatment. He took her to "Beauty and the Beast." But then a virus took hold. Before the diagnosis the couple feared the worst: more cancer, worse cancer. The boat ride came when she had again recovered, again with him as her chief cheerleader. "This will be my birthday present," said Mr. Murphy, a newly 40-year- old Long Islander.
They met on another of his birthdays: She sneezed. He said, "God bless you." There is a son now, Connor, 7, and a daughter, Caitlyn, 4. Mr. Murphy helped Connor assemble an "All About Me" collage on Sept. 10. Caitlyn asks to watch "It's a Wonderful Life," to see "if Daddy gets his wings."
His absence is "like an amputated leg," says Mrs. Murphy, who knows what she is talking about: two dozen lymph nodes were sliced from her thigh; it is permanently numb. At her sickbed, he wept for her. He ordered her to live. She did.
Dear Murphy family,
On Sept 11, 2002, when I received a ribbon with Kevin's name on it, I vowed to keep him and your family in my prayers--always. To this day, I continue to do so every night. Sending prayers and hope from Texas.
Natalie Nevarez
September 11, 2018 | El Paso, TX
Heard your name called on television today by your son. Sending my condolences to the family. May he rest in peace.
j p
September 11, 2017 | Maplewood, NJ
Never4get You Kevin...never
friend
September 10, 2015
In Memory
With Honor & Respect.
S J. Friscia III
May 11, 2015 | Staten Island, NY
Hi daddy it' s Caitlyn,
I decided to write you this letter on here to let everyone know how much you much you meant to me. Recently, there have been a lot of big events going on in me and Connor's life which makes me think about you and miss you even more. Dad, you would be so proud to see the special man Connor has grown into being to today. He is always there looking out for me and cares about me so much. He is just about to graduate from high school this year and will attend Syracuse...
Caitlyn Murphy
June 10, 2012
Kevin's wife Beth and I were new teachers working together many years ago. When Kevin and Beth were newlyweds, Kevin wanted to get Beth a new car. In order to do that he needed to sell his car which was a Honda Civic hatchback with a 5 speed (Beth couldn't drive a stick shift). I was in the market for a "real" car with heat and air conditioning (a first ever for me) so I bought Kevin's year old car with 30,000 miles on it and drove that car for the next 10 years putting 186,000 miles on...
Steve Kimmel
October 13, 2011 | Glenwood Landing, NY
Beth, Connor and Caitlin, We met in The hospital about 2 weeks before Kevin's death. You were a beautiful family. Unfortunately, fate had something else in mind for the both our us. My husband also passed away in 2004. He was one of the 9/11 rescue workers. Time has marched on. My youngest, Eric has started college. May both our families have peace and healing. God Bless your family.
Nancy Jokipii
October 09, 2011 | Huntington, NY
Dear Beth, Connor and Caitlin,
I cannot believe that Kevin has been gone for ten years. I think of him and feel his presence often. His kind and gentle manner as well as his keen sense of humor will always stay with me. His love for the three of you served as a model for many. I am always so happy that even though it was for too brief a time; you were the most special to him and got to experience a love that many never attain. I will always remember Kevin with admiration and love. I...
Carol Flynn
September 11, 2011 | Hauppauge, NY
I rode the same train as Kevin every day into the City. I worked at another brokerage firm in the World Trade Center. I still miss him, and think of you Beth and your children. I am speaking at my church on Sunday and will include Kevin in my message. Remember that you and your family will be with him again.....for ever. Everything that you and your children missed out on with Kevin you will be able to do in heaven.
Glenn Bucci
September 07, 2011 | PA