Edward Joseph Murphy, Jr.
Edward Joseph Murphy, Jr. , age 84, resident of Alameda, was released from the prison known as Alzheimer’s disease on September 22, 2017. During his internment, Ed’s family became informed advocates of Alzheimer’s disease and subsequently donated his brain to research.
“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears the beat of a different drummer.” Henry David Thoreau That different beat was the essence of Ed’s life.
Ed (aka Ted) was born in Port Jefferson, NY, to Edward Joseph and Clarissa Kern Murphy. A 1951 graduate from Port Jefferson High School, he won the Stanislaw Murphy (no relation) scholarship to Harvard College. He worked many jobs, including a stint as Marilyn Monroe’s milkman, for the next three years. He graduated with Honors in Government in 1955 and received his Masters of Teaching in 1956.
Ed was a Naval officer from 1956 – 1967. While stationed at the Naval Air Station in Alameda, CA, as a fighter pilot, he began his life-long love of tennis, learning in a park from local tennis enthusiast Patrick Hogan. At the Officer’s Club, he met Lt. Madlyn Romani of Westfield, MA, a security officer at NRDL in San Francisco, and they married three months later. Son Matthew Peter was born in 1960 while he was at sea and daughter Charlene Anne in 1961 when he was attached to the NROTC at UC Berkeley as Professor of Naval Science.
After resigning his commission in 1967, Ed returned to UC Berkeley as a student to pursue his doctorate in Education. Ed left the program, most annoyed, when UC canceled most activities due to campus riots.
Ed maintained his passion for teaching and his involvement in youth programs. He taught math and English at Pinole Jr High School. He opened an after-school program on his property that featured tennis, along with math and music lessons. Inspired by Thoreau’s understanding of the unique drummer in all of us, he named his school Drumlin.
Drumlin quickly evolved into a USTA-sanctioned tennis club for Junior members only. Over the years he produced top players at the collegiate and professional level.
Because of his passion for politics, Ed pursued a controversial Alameda city charter amendment, which was amicably settled in his favor and resulted in precedent-setting legislation.
In 1986, after purchasing a house in Val di Sogno on Lake Garda, Italy, close to Madlyn’s Italian relatives, Ed promptly taught himself Italian, played tennis with the locals, and swam in the magnificent lake. In the USA, he played the USTA senior circuit and was highly ranked. Social gatherings in all of these places were always enjoyed, especially song and dance. The Murphys were well known for their dancing to the music of the 50’s.
While his mind was clear, he began researching the topic of Veritas and the exploration of truth; unfortunately, he had to stop when his cognitive skills began to deteriorate. However, he could still enjoy the company of his grandchildren, teaching them reading and math, playing tennis and basketball, and riding them around on his customized bicycle.
Ed leaves his wife of 58 years, Madlyn, his son, Matthew (Elaine), daughter Charlene Lehnhoff, and grandchildren M. Peter Jr, Lauren, Ava, and Nathan Edward Murphy. Also survived by brother Peter (Virginia), sister Eileen, and sister-in-law Cynthia Murphy He was predeceased by older sister Ann Murphy Iberger and older brother Charles P. Murphy, both of whom having succumbed to Alzheimer’s.
We send our sincerest appreciation to The Creeks Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care in Castro Valley and VITAS Hospice care.
In lieu of flowers, the extended family requests donations go to the American Alzheimer’s Association at The Murphy Family website: http://bit.ly/2gL3isQ
Please join us to hear the beat of his unique drum:
There will be an Irish wake at the Elks Lodge in Alameda on October 5, 2017, starting at 5:30pm.
For friends and former members of Drumlin, there will be formal gathering in San Francisco. Contact Holy Angels/Sorenson Chapel at 510-581-1234 for details.