John J. Murphy passed away peacefully on October 6, 2022, while residing in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. He was reunited with his son, Timothy J. Murphy, who passed away in 2012.
John was born in Newport, Rhode Island, on August 27, 1943, the 5th of 10 children of Maryanne and Henry T. Murphy. He is survived by all 9 (Henry, Maryanne, Eileen, Patrick, Sheila, Edward, William, Alice and Joseph) siblings, and their spouses, and children.
John attended De La Salle Academy in Newport graduating in 1961. He attended the Seminary at Providence College for 2 years and then he met Barbara Gorman a student at Salve Regina, and they married in 1964. They have had 4 wonderful children.
John began his golf career as a caddy at The New Port Country Club, he caddied for Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy and a picture standing behind Eisenhower is displayed prominently at The Newport Country Club. He attended the PGA Business school in 1963 and moved to Connecticut to be an Assistant Professional at The Hartford Golf Club in Hartford Connecticut. He would head to Florida in the winters and was an assistant professional at The Breakers Hotel. In 1966 he was hired as the head Professional at Westwood’s in Farmington. In 1967, in the middle of a snowstorm he was offered and signed a contract to be the Head Professional at The Farmington Country Club. Often described as the Pro’s-Pro. He had a 40-year career at Farmington and redefined what it was to be a Golf Professional. In January of 2001, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Connecticut Golf Association. He inspired and helped so many people in the golf industry and loved teaching golf. He was a student of the swing and the game his whole life. John touched so many people and had so many friends across the globe. He was a mentor, a confidant, a friend, a teacher, and an inspiration to all who knew him well or those he just met for a brief time. He never forgot a face or a name! A master at the art of relationships and making everyone he touched feel good about themselves.
John also was actively involved in the Recovery community and helped many people get help and find sobriety over the years. He was passionate about recovery and the fellowship that the program provided to him and others over the years. For years he was a Chairman and Director at High Watch Farm in Kent Ct. He was a devote Catholic and was a Eucharistic Minister for decades. In 2004, he was awarded the Hartford Archdiocese’s Medal of Appreciation. Upon Retirement he retired to Juno Beach Florida until 2019 when he moved to Ponte Vedra Beach to be close to his family.
John’s greatest joy was his family, he is survived by his wife, Barbara J. Murphy, of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL; his sons, Michael (Jennifer) and Patrick; and his daughter, Katie (Sam), of Ponte Vedra Beach, and Auburn Alabama. He adored his grandchildren, Megan Murphy Parmelee (Tyler), Emma, Molly, Stella, Tess, and Nelle Murphy and Jack, Grace and Will Parks. While he was in assisted living his favorite times were the visits from his Grandkids. Will Parks went almost every day to bring him a coffee and in the early years they would drive around the community in a golf cart which he loved.
We will host a service in Florida and Connecticut. A funeral Mass will be at John Paull II Catholic Church in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, on Thursday October 13, 2022, at 10 am. A second mass and Burial will be held at St. Annes Church in Avon, CT, on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, at 11 AM. Followed by a graveside service.
As part of John’s final wishes, in lieu of Flowers, please donate to John Murphy Grandchildren Education Fund. Please mail donations to:
The John Murphy Grandchildren Education Fund, The Country Club of Farmington, 806 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT, 06032
