Joseph M. Murphy

1945 - 2021

Joseph M. Murphy, 76, of Dallas, passed away in the comfort of his family to our Lord on the evening of Feb. 24, 2021, at Anne Arundel Medical Center, Annapolis, Md. Born in Duryea, he was the son of William Gervis Murphy and Wanda Mary Kulinski Murphy.

Joe grew up watching Gene Autry, listening to Chet Atkins, and being a model train enthusiast. He loved football. Joe played defensive end with the Duryea High School Wildcats. Joe earned an associate degree in mechanical engineering from Penn State University. During the Vietnam conflict, Joe was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1965, serving with the Nike Missile crew at Fort Bliss, Texas.

In 1969, Joe married his high school sweetheart, Arlene Sankus. He was employed as a project manager by Procter & Gamble, Mephoopany, for 30 years. During this time, Joe asked Arlene to select a house plan and together they built their home in Dallas and raised six children.

Often described as "easy going," Joe was the quiet keystone of the "Murphy Clan." His kids loved him. He repaired his own car, planted the family vegetable garden, gave the swing set concrete footings so the kids could soar, rode sleds, fixed their bikes, and leveled the yard to put up the family pool.

Answering the call for youth soccer volunteers, Joe surprisingly coached his team to a tournament win! As the kids grew, there were family vacations to the Carolinas and Disney World. Along with his wife, Joe encouraged his children through their college years. He helped cook huge holiday dinners including his funny favorite, Rainbow Jell-O. He showed his children he cared by example through doing.

Joe was fortunate to retire in 1997. His enjoyment became cruising Lake Wallenpaupak in his Cobalt boat, Miami Vice style, discovering his green thumb being an avid family gardener, becoming a serious fan of professional soccer, and most of all becoming a beloved Grampa.

Joe and Arlene recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. He will be greatly missed.

Joe is survived by his wife, Arlene; his children, Lisa Ann Murphy Carlston (Chris Dahlin), Minneapolis, Minn.; Lynn Ann Murphy (Mark Gridley), Lawrence, Kan.; Michael J. Murphy (Christina Walsh-Peterson Murphy), Windsor, Conn.); Joseph W. Murphy (Dr. Elaine Lee) , Ashford, Conn.; Colleen Marie Murphy Schweitzer (Matthew Schweitzer), Gambrills, Md.; David P. Murphy, Seattle, Wash.; grandchildren, Keri Ann Carlston; June Gridley and Ginger Gridley; Joseph Joon-Soo (JJ) Murphy and Brooklyn Murphy; Elliott Schweitzer and Isaac Schweitzer; his sister, Patricia Murphy Jeffers (James Jeffers), Wyckoff, N.J.; brother-in-law, Edward Sankus (Sharon Benczkowski Sankus), Laflin; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in Gate of Heaven Church, Dallas, with the Rev. Daniel Toomey officiating. Interment in Mount Olivet Cemetery will follow.

The family respectfully requests that all attendees adhere to the current COVID-19 guidelines with mask wearing and social distancing.

Arrangements are entrusted to Richard H. Disque Funeral Home, 2940 Memorial Highway, Dallas.

Donations in Joe's name may be made to Gate of Heaven Church, 40 Machell Ave., Dallas, PA 18612 or to Mercy Center, 301 Lake St., Dallas, PA 18612.

Condolences can be mailed to c/o Richard H. Disque Funeral home or may be made at disquefuneralhome.com.