Obituary of John "Peter" Murphy

John Peter Murphy 5/16/1938 - 7/6/2015 John Peter Murphy, 77, of Naples, FL and Avondale, PA, passed away on July 6, 2015. Pete was born in Brooklyn, NY, the third of six children to the late Dr. Hugh L. and Helen (Dowling) Murphy. He grew up in the Prospect Park neighborhood where he first became an avid Dodgers fan and spent his summers in Point Lookout, NY. After graduating from Brooklyn Preparatory School, he earned a B.S. in Biology from St. Bonaventure University. He was commissioned as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army, meeting his wife of 51 years, Gael (née Murphy), during an assignment at Fort Sill, OK. They traveled far and wide starting a family while stationed in Germany, where Pam was born, and soon after to Fort Bliss, Texas where John was born. After leaving the service, he settled in New Jersey and began a career in the water treatment industry continuing to raise his growing family with the arrival of Matthew, Kevin, Christopher, and Juliet. After several years as an independent consultant, he began a new career in financial services with MBNA America in Wilmington, DE before retiring in 2004. Pete was a dedicated husband and father who sacrificed throughout his life to provide for his family. He also volunteered in the community through several church, civic and environmental organizations. After retirement, he cherished time with his ten grandchildren. He was also an avid reader who created and maintained several community lending libraries. He will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife, Gael; sisters, Mary Jo Gatti of Bonita Springs, FL, Julie (Charlie) Cawley of Camden, ME, and Gertrude Abel of Wilmington, DE; brothers, Hugh (Elizabeth) of Glen Mills, PA, Frank (Barbara Kurz) of Camden, ME; daughters, Phyllis (John Davis) of Chevy Chase, MD and Juliet of Landenberg, PA; sons, John (Corinne) of West Chester, PA, Matthew (Anita) of Kennett Square, PA, Kevin (Rena) of Avondale, PA; and grandchildren, Erin, Lea, John Philip, Kaelyn, John Peter III, Jillian, Daniel, Mollie, Kara, and Christopher. He was predeceased by his son, Christopher. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on July 17th at St. Joseph's on the Brandywine, 10 Old Church Road, Greenville, DE 19807. Family will receive friends prior to the Mass from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Pete's name to the Ministry of Caring, 506 North Church Street, Wilmington, DE 19801-4812. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/naplesnews/obituary.aspx?n=john-murphy&pid=175282480#sthash.ame3Tcw3.dpuf