John “Pat” Murphy, a longtime resident of the Bay Park community in San Diego, California, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on December 7, 2025.
Pat was born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1933, where he attended Creighton Preparatory School and Creighton University. Upon graduation, he joined the U.S. Army, serving as a First Lieutenant and Instructor of Special Purpose Weapons.
In 1959, Pat moved to Mission Beach in San Diego and began a 29-year career with Security Pacific National Bank. While working at the downtown San Diego branch, Pat met the love of his life, Shirley. They were married at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in 1961, started a family, and moved into what would become their “forever home.”It was in this home that Pat and Shirley raised their five children—Michael Patrick, Ann Marie, Theresa Marie, Timothy Patrick, and Brian Patrick—established cherished family traditions, and created a lifetime of memories. It was also here that they both, eventually, took their final breaths, just 522 days apart.
Pat was deeply committed to service and community throughout his life. For much of his professional career, he was an active member of the Clairemont Hills Kiwanis Club, where he dedicated many hours to supporting local causes and helping those in need. Alongside Shirley, he was also deeply involved in their church parish, St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, where they served as Eucharistic Ministers and in a variety of other capacities, always giving their time generously and quietly.After retiring from Security Pacific, Pat continued working with several other banks in the San Diego area, including the Bank of Coronado. In retirement, he chose to serve the Coronado community in a new way by joining the Coronado Police Department’s Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol. Pat proudly logged over 2,000 hours of service before retiring from the unit in 2013.
Pat was a friendly, hardworking man (taking only two sick days in 30 years of work) with little ego, a fantastic sense of humor, and an ability to strike up a conversation with just about anyone. He loved telling stories and was always ready for a social gathering, especially if it included a dry Sapphire martini.
Pat enjoyed travel throughout his life, planning family vacations when the children were young, taking road trips to explore all 50 states and many National Parks, and later traveling the world on cruises with Shirley. Together, they enjoyed good food, good wine, and a well-balanced life filled with love and laughter.
Pat was preceded in death by his son, Michael; his daughter, Ann Marie; and his beloved wife, Shirley. He often said he couldn’t wait to see “his sweetie” again.He is survived by his children Theresa, Timothy, and Brian; his grandchildren Caitlin Murphy, Sean Murphy, Dominic Higgins, Veronica Lee, Kiera Murphy, Ren Rogers, and Amanda Rogers; and one great-grandchild, Ren Silverthorn.
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