IN MEMORIAM
Richard A. Murphy, 66; Coach,
Educator; Town, County Leader
ONEONTA – Richard A. Murphy, 66, after 35 years as a speech therapist, 20 years in real estate, 28 years as a Little League coach and 12 years in public office, died at home Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, after a long battle with a brain tumor.
He was born on Sept. 19, 1949, in Floral Park, the son of Eugene F. and Frances V. (Leahy) Murphy, and was raised in Queens Village.
Rich came to Oneonta following graduation from SUNY Plattsburgh in 1972. He began a 35- year career in speech pathology for BOCES in the local schools, receiving his master’s in 1977 from the College of St. Rose. Rich. He and his high school sweetheart, Pat, were married in 1973, raising two sons who graduated from Clarkson University and Siena College.
In 1980, Rich began a 20 year career in local real estate concurrent with teaching, and a two-year term with the YMCA Board of Directors. In 1987, he began a 28-year career as a Little League coach of “The Bank.” Rich was recognized for his baseball service in 2014, when the minor league field was renamed Richard Murphy Field. He was a lifelong avid New York Yankees fan.
He was elected in 2001 to the Oneonta Town Board, where he reduced insurance costs, began a partnership with SUNY Oneonta to develop a web site, began a scheduled sidewalk infrastructure program and improved softball and soccer fields in Fortin Park. He was unopposed for reelection in 2005, and in 2007 was elected to the county board, and re-elected in 2009 and 2011.
On the board, he helped add environmental concerns to the Solid Waste Committee, secured $75,000 for the Pony Farm Bridge, served on the Public Works Committee and reduced utility costs. He also served on Technology, Efficiency and the Soil and Water committees. When he retired in 2013, he was board vice chair and chaired the Administration Committee.
Rich lived in Oneonta with his wife, Pat. He served as chair of First Night Oneonta, and was an active member of St Mary’s Church and a sounding board for those seeking office.
Rich’s whole life was involved in educating people, whether through speech pathology, Little League, or community representation. His final wish was to be a donor to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to give back and further research and education of Glioblastoma.
Survivors include his bride, Patricia D. Murphy; his sons, Brendan R. Murphy of Oneonta and Brian P. Murphy of Albany; his mother, Frances V. Leahy Murphy of Dominican Village Amityville.
Also, his brother Eugene J. Murphy and wife Janet of North Patchogue, NY; his sister Joan E. Mercurio and her husband Christopher of Baldwin; brothers and sisters-in-law, George and Pat, Bill, Kathy and Joe, Ken and Adria, Susan and John, Robert and Eileen, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, great nieces and great nephews, and his best friends, Kermit and Vivian Weaver and John Keilly.
Rich was predeceased by his father, Eugene F. Murphy.
Calling hours are 4-8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 22, at the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta
A funeral mass will be at 10:15 am on Tuesday, Aug. 23, at St. Mary’s Church, 39 Walnut St., with Rev. David Mickiewicz, pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Emmons.
In lieu of flowers donations in Rich’s memory may be made to the Eugene Frances Murphy Memorial Scholarship c/o Oneonta Dollars for Scholars, PO Box 1083, Oneonta, NY 13820, the Oneonta Little League, PO Box 542, Oneonta, NY 13820, the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for Brain Research, 1275 York Ave, New York, NY 10065 and St. Mary’s Church Renovation Project, 39 Walnut Street, Oneonta, NY 13820.
Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting our website: www.grummonsfuneralhome.com
Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home of Oneonta