Patrick Murphy, 87

Patrick Eugene "Pat" Murphy, age 87, of Hudson, Wis., and formerly of Racine and Shorewood, Wis., passed away on Thursday, Feb. 14, at Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul, Minn.

Pat was born in Manitowoc, Wis., to parents George and Amanda (Baumann) Murphy. He attended St. Mary's Elementary School and graduated from St. Catherine's High School in Racine.

Pat served as radioman on four ships, having shipped out to the Navy's Amphibious Fleet after having attended Auburn University for Radio Operators School and Texas A & M University for Advanced Radio Operators and Material School. He visited Pearl Harbor, Wake Island, Luzon, Formosa, and was in Okinawa acting as the harbor entrance control post for ships anchored at Naha for the invasion of Japan. Discharged in 1946, Pat attended Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, graduating with a B.S. in journalism with an advertising sequence.

On February 18, 1950, Pat was united in marriage to Arlette L. "Pat" Reilly at Holy Name Catholic Church in Racine. Their union was blessed with nearly 63 years of love and devotion.

Pat worked as an editor, ad manager on two newspapers, ad agency copywriter, copy supervisor, creative director, and account executive in advertising agencies in Racine, Milwaukee, Shorewood, and Chicago. His final positions before he retired in 2000 were as owner of Patrick Murphy Associates and H/M Sales & Marketing Services.

Pat played amateur fastpitch softball for several years. He taught marketing at Milwaukee Area Technical College and religion for high school students. He coached baseball for boys from t-ball through high school.

Pat was a member of the Hudson Pen & Think Writer's Group, a book club, a Hudson fitness club, St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Hudson, and the Saturday Morning Men's Prayer Breakfast Group, a group from which he drew great inspiration and friendship. Pat was devout in his faith.

Pat's hobbies included fishing, swimming, reading, and writing poems, children's stories, greeting cards, and a monthly family internet newspaper, Murphy Musings. He enjoyed all sports, particularly the Packers, Badgers, Golden Eagles, and Twins.

Pat was a family man who enjoyed spending time with his immediate and extended family. He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 63 years, Pat; his loving children, Catherine (Joseph) Caton, Robert Murphy, Janet (Rick) Stuiber, and Daniel (Jennifer) Murphy; his loving grandchildren, Rebecca and Matthew Caton, Shannon (Brian) Arries, David (Suzanne), Samantha, Ryan, Christine, Jacqueline, and Victoria Murphy; his loving great-grandchildren, Emma Rose and Dylan Murphy; twin sister, Patricia Foley; sister Jane Cisney; as well as many other loving nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his siblings Catherine, George, Robert, Richard, and Ned.

Mass of Christian Burial for Pat Murphy will be held at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 1500 Vine St., Hudson. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the Mass at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials in memory of Pat may be directed to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.

Services have been entrusted to the O'Connell Family Funeral Home of Hudson, 715-386-3725.

Tags: obituaries

Sign the guestbook (1 comment)

Comments posted on this page do not reflect opinions of Forum Communications Company. Forum Communications Company does not endorse and is not responsible for any statement, opinion, advice given or made. All replies are subject to approval and must follow Forum Communications Company guidelines concerning statements of libel, personal attacks or defamation of character. Replies in the "Talk About It" section that criticize a person by name may not be posted, unless that person is openly involved in a public issue. Comments written in all capital letters or bold print will not be considered for inclusion in the forum.

Terms & Conditions