Joseph M. Murphy

9/28/1942 - 12/10/2025

Southwest Harbor, Maine - Joseph M. Murphy, 83, of Southwest Harbor, Maine, passed away, Dec. 10, 2025, after a brief illness. Joseph was the son of the late J. Joseph and Helen (Frankiewicz) Murphy, and was born in New London, Sept. 28, 1942.

He attended the New London Public Schools and graduated from the Ohio State University, where he received a degree in English literature in 1965. Joseph spent his entire career in the financial services industry holding executive positions at financial institutions in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Delaware, and Maine. In 2013, he retired as president and CEO of Bar Harbor Bankshares in Bar Harbor, Maine.

Throughout his career, he contributed many hours as a volunteer board member or being in service to community organizations. He served most recently on the boards of Friends of Acadia and Maine Seacoast Mission.

He is survived by his beloved wife and companion of 64 years, Maria Nicholson Murphy; and children; Matthew D. Murphy of Chicago and Julia E. Murphy of West Hartford. He is predeceased by his son Peter N. Murphy of London, U.K. He leaves behind four grandchildren: George M. Klein of New York City, Emma Grace Murphy of Beverly Hills, Calif., and Nicholas and Sorcha Murphy of Dalkey, Ireland.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Jan, 5, 2026, at Jordan- Fernald Funeral Homes, 1139 Main Street, Mount Desert, ME. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Doctors Without Borders USA, P.O. Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5030. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.