Philip Murphy-Sweet

Commander U. S. Navy Philip A. Murphy-Sweet
On Saturday, April 7, 2007, the nation lost one of its most loving people. Commander Philip A. Murphy-Sweet, 42, of Mechanicsburg, Pa., was killed as the result of injuries received by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in the Rusafa District of Baghdad, Iraq.
Philip was a U.S. Naval Supply Officer stationed at the Naval Inventory Control Point Mechanicsburg. He was an accomplished Naval Officer who will be greatly missed.
Phil was a 19-year veteran with the US Navy starting his career as a Hospital Corpsman. Later, he graduated from the University of Idaho with a bachelor's degree in communications and also received his commission as a Naval Officer. Phil was a Navy Veteran of the Gulf War and Operation Iraqi Freedom. His current assignment was serving a six-month assignment supporting Coalition troops in Iraq
Phil's immense love was evident in the life he shared with his wife Cheryl, and their three children, Olivia, Seth and Lauren. Phil's compassion and caring drew people from all walks of life to him. Early on Phil was drawn to the Catholic Church and it was evident in his various leadership roles he held with the Naval Chaplain's Office during his career. His faith inspired him to be the husband and father he was. Phil was a source of inspiration and strength to his family and a strong leader to those who knew and worked with him.
In addition to his wife and children, Phil is survived by his father, Richard Murphy-Sweet, his mother Mary Beaver, two sisters, Anona Gonelli and Elizabeth Smith, and two brothers Arthur Murphy-Sweet and Michael Murphy-Sweet. Also surviving are his mother-in-law, Catherine Maiorana and brothers-in-law, Tony Maiorana and Victor Maiorana.
Phil will be remembered as a leader - a leader on the ship, a leader within his community, a leader in his church, a devoted and loving husband, a strong and righteous father, and a beloved, cherished and deeply missed shipmate.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 2 p.m. Monday, April 16, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Camp Hill. Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Monday in his church. Burial with full military honors will be held in Arlington National Cemetery at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 17. Those attending need to arrive at Arlington Administration building by 9:15 a.m.
Malpezzi Funeral Home, Mechanicsburg, is handling the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Philip A. Murphy-Sweet Memorial Fund, c/o Commerce Bank, Attn. Sara Musti, 60 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055. To sign the online guest book and further information please visit www.malpezzifuneralhome.com.
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