Terrence Murphy

1951 - 2025

BORN

1951

DIED

2025

Terrence Murphy Obituary

It came on fast. I expected to be fighting it off longer. But it's ok. I had a very nice life. I had an amazing wife, two wonderful kids, and two great dogs. I was at the home I loved with my family by my side at the very end. I leave with them my love of all kinds of music and food, as well as the essential ability to flow with what life brings.

I was born in Yokohama, Japan and moved to Oahu, Hawaii (shook hands with JFK). Then, was welcomed back to the great 48 (NOVA) the day before JFK was killed. We attended the funeral procession. Graduated Fort Hunt, then VCU, in broadcast journalism. Worked in TV production at WCVE in RVA, then photography for Underwater Archeology in Wilmington, then back to RVA for national sports production, and Plan 9 for years (on and off), bartending, graphics, etc. Then it gets complicated: stay-at-home dad.

I had no idea what I was doing as a stay-at-home dad, but hey, even dwarves start small! I ran the "school of rock" during our car rides, so the kids could love music like I do. Music continued to connect us as they grew up. Now, I don't want to take credit for how well they turned out, but. I loved that job the most.

Unusual for the Murphy males, I managed to keep most of my full head of hair. I was also lucky to be healthy most of my life, with this last year being the clear outlier. I was grateful to have diverse jobs where I worked with some great people.

I'm survived by my wife, Cat, children Aidan and Grace, brother Kevin Murphy (John Ireland), sister Sian Salsbury, the Chudoba, Carvil, O'Farrell and Salsbury families. Special thanks to my therapy dog, Roscoe.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Richmond Times-Dispatch on Sep. 28, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Terrence Murphy

13 Entries

Suzanne Keller

Planted Trees

Johnny Boatwright

Yesterday

Aidan and Grace,

I'm so sorry for your loss. Before you all came into the world, your Dad got to practice his Dad skills when my father would bring me to see Terry at Puzzles and Plan 9. At Puzzles, he would lift me up to the pay phone so I could "call" my Mom, grandparents, friends, etc. He also gave me all of the cherries I wanted along with all the early '90s posters from Plan 9. You'll always remember the adults who were good to you as a kid and your Dad is @ the forefront of many fond childhood memories for me.

Brad Pearson

Yesterday

When Sherri and I moved into the neighborhood with one toddler and another on the way Terry befriended me on the playground while watching our daughters play. We were both stay at home dads at the time. His friendship made us feel connected to our new home. So much of why we fell in love with the new neighborhood and the people we met started with Terry saying hello on the playground that day. We have not seen each other much after we were both done with that part of our lives, but his kindness will have for ever shaped our path.

Perry Iampietro

September 28, 2025

I loved this man. He was absolutely the best boss that I ever had! I still live by his mantra "Six of one, half a dozen, one or the other." Such a mensch Terry was. My most heartfelt sympathy to Cat,Aidan & Grace.

Leslie Hendershot Whitney

September 28, 2025

I didn´t know Terri, but his younger brother, Kevin, was a good friend of mine during high school. I remember Terry somehow managing to get a bottle of wine smuggled to Kevin, then brought it to a group of us before we went to homecoming our senior year. We thought we were so clever to get away with that! Thank you, Terry for a fun memory. And Kevin, if you´re reading this, hello from Leslie (Hendershot) Whitney. California and I´m so sorry for the loss of your brother.

Mary Herthel

September 28, 2025

Wow what an obituary. I don´t know you at all. I know that your light and love will continue to shine on your family

Andie

September 28, 2025

I have a lot of fun memories of Terry from his high school and college years. What an amazing guy. One summer we took a budget trip to Montreal and stayed at a campground. We went into town and got pastries and left them in the tent while we went to dinner. We retuned to two skunks in the tent enjoying our pastries. We had to sit outside the tent in the dark until they left on their own. Lesson learned!
I haven't seen Terry for decades but heard he was living the dream with his lovely wife and kids, which he confirms with such eloquence in his farewell message. I´m so sorry that his time with them was cut short. My deepest sympathies to his family and friends. Also sending my love to Kevin and Sian.

Patrick

September 28, 2025

I first met Cat and Terry in the late 80´s, early 90´s. We would typically run into them around good music. They were always "Cat n Terry" to me, ...always together, they were such a partnership. It would be hard to find anyone kinder and nicer than them, and so nice to hang out and talk with.
Years later, my wife and I moved in around the corner from them in the Bellevue neighborhood. So we got to see them a little more often. I also learned that my wife, Marie worked with Terry and she would comment on how great he was to work with and that he played the best music. Everyone I knew that knew Terry would say the same wonderful things. Terry was well loved by everyone who met him.
It was also nice to watch Grace and Aiden also grow into kind, smart, mindful adults. I´m sure good parenting and parenting by example played a strong role in that!
Terry will be missed very much. It´s good to know he will live on in Cat, Grace and Aiden, and in everyone who knew and loved him, as his soul is imprinted in our hearts and minds. He lives on in so many.
Cat; we are here for you any ready to help in any way possible. We´ll be checking in soon. We just haven´t wanted to be a disruption too soon. We love you very much.

Heather Beck

September 28, 2025

Dear Cat, Aiden and Grace. We are so sorry to hear the news about Terry. We will miss seeing him out front and walking Roscoe and most of all talking on the sidewalk in front of the house. Most of our talk was catching up on kids as they flew the nest or just neighbor talk. The kind gesture of a wave was comfort enough to know he was there. Sending each of you many hugs and love in this difficult time. For now we´ll send a friendly neighborly wave. All the Becks

Jane Bell

September 28, 2025

What a beautiful reflection on Terry´s life. I can hear his voice when reading it. We are so very sorry for your huge loss, he was a wonderful person.

Bobbie & Kim

Planted Trees

Earlybird

September 28, 2025

Our first Groundhog Caroling trip, we went by Puzzles and Terry invented a drink for me. The Groundhog. Thanks, Terry, for that and many other pleasurable conversations. It was also an honor to sing at your wedding. Peace. Love you Cat.