Neil J. Murphy

Neil J. Murphy, 94, of Jupiter, FL died peacefully on April 2. Born in Chicago, IL, Neil was the first born to Cornelius and Catherine Dwyer Murphy. He grew up in a community on the SW side of Chicago named Beverly Hills and attended Morgan Park High School. Neil anticipated attending college immediately after graduation, but due to the Great Depression and his father's struggling grocery business, he delayed his education in favor of support to his family. He worked for his father until that business closed in the early 40's. In 1941 he joined WMAQ radio owned by NBC and in 1942 he was promoted to the accounting department. Neil was drafted in 1942 and received basic training in FL and attended air controller school. He was sent to N. Africa and joined the 15th Squadron of the Air Force in Italy. With the ending of the European war efforts, Neil's Squadron was sent to the So. Pacific. When WWII ended Neil returned to work at WMAQ. When NBC opened a TV station (WNBQ TV) it was the first in the nation to broadcast in color. He graduated from DePaul Univ. in 1954. At WNBQ Neil met and married Marie T. Walley. He and Marie were devoted to their large Irish family during their 67 years of marriage. Neil and Marie are proud of the fact that all 7 of their children graduated from college, most with masters or advanced degrees. Continuing in his career, Neil was promoted to Budget manager for NBC in NYC with an office in 30 Rockefeller Plaza. In 1965, the family moved to Hollywood, FL. Neil worked for the Sunbeam Television Corporation as the Comptroller/Director of WSVN-TV in Miami with 22 years of service. Neil served on the State of FL Broadcast Commission and the National Association of Financial Broadcasting Executives. He also served on the Board of the Miami chapter of the United Way and was a member of the Rotary Clubs of So. Florida for 45 years. He retired to Jupiter and actively served the Bella Vista community during his residence there for 25 years. He moved to the Allegro Senior Living Community in 2013, where he was often spotted doing laps in the swimming pool and dining at Duffy's Sports Grill. Neil was first a family man, but being a stock market enthusiast defined him for the many that knew him. He loved the sport of golf taking it up at the age of 6, and enjoyed playing the challenging golf courses of the US, Scotland and Ireland, including St. Andrews Links, Spyglass Hill and Pebble Beach, three of his many favorites. He was a skilled golfer as evidenced by the 3 holes in one that he shot during his long career and 9 handicap. He loved to travel and visited all 50 states, Europe, Canada and enjoyed cruising the Caribbean and abroad. Neil was a devout Roman Catholic and his unwavering faith is an inspiration to his family and friends. Neil is survived by his wife Marie; 7 children- Marilyn (Dennis) Baker of N. Augusta, SC, Denise (John) Shepherd of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Terese (Mark) Johnson of Atlantic Beach, FL, Neil Murphy of Tequesta, FL, Martin (Amy) Murphy of Jupiter, FL, Melissa (Keith) Mullen of Ormond Beach, FL, and Shannon (Dr. Fred) Cerise of Dallas, TX; 13 grandchildren- Nathan, Darren, Matthew, Katrina and Brian Baker; Paul, Caroline, and Jake Cerise; Madeline Middleton; Sarah Amiama, Christine Carber, and Mary Shepherd; and Christopher Mullen; 2 great-grandchildren; sister Joan (John) Gerlits of North Field, IL, sister-in-law Joanne Murphy of Burr Ridge, IL; and cousins Harry (Nancy) Halbert of Panama, Rich Dwyer of Harbor, MI, and Celeste Nemmers of Lamar, IA. A funeral Mass service will be held at St. Patrick Catholic Church (13591 Prosperity Farms Rd, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410) at 10:00 on Monday, April 11. A private family military inurnment will take place at the South Florida VA National Cemetery. In memory of Neil, the family welcomes memorial donations to the Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches. www.lighthousepalmbeaches.org.

Neil J. Murphy

April 2, 1922 - April 2, 2016