John Michael Murphy

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John Michael Murphy. John was born on September 1, 1943 in Cleveland, Ohio to the late Paul and Mary (Marlowe) Murphy. John passed away August 28, 2024. He attended St. Ann's Elementary School and graduated from Holy Name High School in 1964. John obtained his undergraduate degree in social work from Cleveland State University (CSU), a Masters Degree in Organizational Development from Case Western Reserve University and a Master of Arts Degree from Columbia University, New York City. He completed post graduate studies at the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland where he earned certificates in Consulting and Organization Development and Design.
Years after graduating from CSU, John returned to CSU as a professor. His education, wealth of consulting experiences, and his ability to relate to his students made him an excellent professor.
He said his only regret was that his parents were not alive to share in his joy and pride in becoming a college professor.
John's consulting services enabled him to consult with local, national and international companies, including, but not limited, to Turner Construction, National City Bank, The Cleveland Foundation, the Brookings Institute in Washington, D. C. and various local churches, schools and non-profits.
Growing up in Cleveland, John was an avid Cleveland sports fan, attending as many games as possible. His fondest childhood memories involved sports, particularly when his dad would get all the neighborhood kids for a "pick up" game of baseball which also included ice-cream after the game. The Cleveland Heights neighborhood where he grew up offered the opportunity for many other adventures. John often told the story of him and his friends playing in the neighbor's "coal shoot" while all the parents frantically searched for them. The children emerged covered in soot.
They were promptly grounded by some very relieved mothers and fathers.
There were many bike rides to the local drug store to purchase the latest baseball cards that also included the stalest bubble gum but hopefully the coveted star player's card.
In addition to his love of sports, John also loved birthdays. In fact, it became the family joke that no matter whose birthday it was, John would claim it as his. He found great humor in pretending it was his birthday to win a door prize or centerpiece or anything being offered. His honesty always won, however, and those prizes never made it home. On Sept. 1, 2024, John missed celebrating his 81st birthday with his family by just a few days but be assured the celebration is still going on in heaven.
John had a life-long deep and abiding faith in God. He loved being a member and attended regular services at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. His relationship to his church was unwavering even as mobility and health challenges made it more difficult for him to attend Sunday Mass. This difficulty was lessened by his dear friend, Charlotte Brown, who always took him to and from church weekly.
In addition to his jovial, ornery nature, he was always the conversationalist. John was truly knowledgeable and informed about what was going on in the world. He loved to talk politics. John often said he never met a Democrat he did not like. No matter how the conversation ended, John would always tell the person to "stay safe" and would tell the person how much they meant to him. And who could forget that wonderful smile!
Most of all, John's source of pride and joy was his wife, Edna, Singer, Liturgical Dancer/Choreographer. He was her biggest fan and supporter, always sharing her successes and contributions to the community. He would burst with pride when presenting her with flowers after her performances and did not hesitate to shout loudly for everyone to hear, "I love you Edna."
Family gatherings were an important part of John's life, always asking how each member was doing. Surviving and missing him are: his wife, Edna (Duffy) Murphy, son, Louis Louis Pietroforte, (mother), Kay Ann Fatica; sister, Mary Myers (Bud); nieces, Michelle Smith (Steven), Colleen Damanti (Kyle); nephew Christopher Myers (Kimberly); great niece Illyana Smith; great nephews, Nikita, Kaius and Caspian Smith, and Declan and Owyn Damanti. Brothers-in law, Spencer L. Duffy (Barbara), O. C. Duffy, Jr. (Lora), Dr. Edward Duffy (Lorraine), James Duffy (Sue) and Dr. Lawrence E. Johnson; sisters-in-law, Rev. E. Marie Bunzy, Dr. Cora D. McHenry, Leona Duffy, Dr. Bernice D. Johnson, Nancy D. Blount, and Mary Duffy-Lewis and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
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