Dennis J. Murphy
Palm City, Fla. — In the spring of 1945, a skinny 17-year-old boarded a train in Stamford with 3 pounds of bananas and a note from his mom. Destined for the Navy recruiting station in New Haven, he hoped consuming those bananas would get him to the required weight limit for acceptance into the United States Navy. The bananas worked and a 24-year career as a submariner in the USN was launched.
From New London it was off to Antarctica with Admiral Byrd. Soon a call came from Admiral Rickover tapping him to become part of the new nuclear submarine fleet. The highlight of his naval career was as Commissioning Chief of the Boat (COB) for the USS Patrick Henry (SSBN-599).
Following military retirement in 1968, he went to work in private industry as a consultant with a specialty in environmental management. As first selectman of East Lyme from 1971 to 1977 and again from 1985 to 1989 he instituted a trash recycling program that put the town on the map as a national model. He continued as a political leader in the Republican Party. He was the 1986 party nominee for lieutenant governor. He also served as head of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, GOP State Central Committeeman for the 20th District, and campaign manager on multiple campaigns usually supporting his close friend and ally, Joel Schiavone.
Dennis was an accomplished sailboat racer, devoted poker and cribbage player, but most importantly a much beloved husband, father and grandfather.
In the early morning hours of Jan. 14, 2023, he left the loving arms of his daughters and wife and shipped out on Eternal Patrol to join his son, Dennis III; grandson Blake Ross; and brothers, Gordon, Eugene and Kevin.
He leaves his wife, Susan; daughters, Patricia Ross (Herb) of Hobe Sound, Fla., and Amanda O’Donnell (Colin) of New York City; and grandchildren, Ryan Ross (Erin) of Brooklyn, N.Y., Henry O’Donnell of San Francisco and Lily O’Donnell, currently traveling the world, and his brother-in-law, Bruce Glowac (Anne) of Essex and sister-in-law, Candace Glowac (Tim Pendleton). He also leaves his brother, John of Jensen Beach, Fla., and a boatload of nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested contributions to Treasure Coast Hospice, 1201 SE Indian St., Stuart, FL 34997 or the hospice of your choosing.