Martin Murphy Obituary

Murphy, Martin Dennis Arlington Heights, IL, 65, passed away peacefully August 1, 2007, at Holy Family Hospital, Des Plaines, after a long illness. The oldest of nine children raised in Wilmette by parents, Bob and Louise Murphy. Born in St. Paul, MN on October 1, 1941. Murphy was known as Dennis to friends and family until he was 18. During his entire adult life, he preferred Marty after his namesake and maternal grandfather, Martin Giesen. Predeceased by parents, Robert and Louise; and a brother, Thomas, he is survived by former wife, Barbara Murphy-Sanders and their five children: Colleen (Ted) Mora of Frankfort, IL, Sean (Amy) Murphy of Wauconda, IL, Brendan (Linda) Murphy, Johnsburg, IL, Kael (Kristin) Murphy of Hampton, VA and Siobhan (Henry) Crawford of Falls Church, VA. He was blessed with nine grandchildren: Ian, Berkley and Aidan Murphy, Barbara, Martin and Linda Crawford, Trisha and Kimberly Mora and Christopher Murowski. He is also survived by seven siblings, Kay Murphy of Pasadena, CA, Mary Jane (Joe) Dix of Evanston, IL, Joan (Tim) Meskill of Seattle, WA, Patricia Murphy of Northfield, IL, Robert (Susan) Murphy of Roscoe, MT, James (Mary) Murphy of Glenview, IL and Richard (Elizabeth) Murphy of Bend, OR. He was great-grandfather to Cage Murowski, uncle to 13 and great-uncle to six. Martin graduated from St. Francis Xavier Grade School and Loyola Academy, where he was a National Merit Scholarship winner in 1959. He attended Southern Illinois University, Kendall College in Evanston and the (now) University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. He was an expert at living life as it came at him. Seldom ready, but always willing, he encountered many challenges along the way. Generous to a fault, if he had a nickel, he would give you a dime. He donated his body to science, to further medical knowledge and treatment of alcoholism, diabetes, cardiac and pulmonary diseases. He wa conflicted by his Irish cultural need for fun and social fellowship and his half German heritage, which called for patience and pecuniary preservation. In spite of his mother's pragamatic nature and lifelong commitment to her oldest son, Marty often took the Irish road, not always finding satisfaction in his choices. Never practical, sometimes distant, often demanding, seldom at a loss for words, highly intelligent, a masterful conservationalist, voracious reader and ready tenor if there were a piano in the room. He was a man of many contradictions and capabilities, confounding those who loved him and engaging others who became lifelong friends. As a recovering alcoholic for 30 years, he was a beacon to many who discovered and maintained their sobriety through his ongoing example and selfless support. He is a father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-uncle, brother, friend, neighbor and advocate. May he rest in peace. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, September 29, 2007, 1:30 p.m., at Matz Funeral Home, 410 E. Rand Road, Mt. Prospect, IL. In lieu of even one single flower, donations In Memory of Martin D. Murphy are requested to: The American Diabetes Association online at http://www.diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES (800-342-2382). If you are a recovering Alcoholic, you may make a donation to the Chicago area service office online at http://www.chicagoaa.org/donations.php or call (312-346-1475). Only Recovering Alcoholics may donate to AA.