Michael J. Murphy

Michael J. Murphy, age 74, of Wilmington, DE, beloved brother and uncle, departed his family on August 13, 2022.

He attended Salesianum School, St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas, and the University of Delaware. Mike loved being outdoors, and a favorite pastime was hiking the Appalachian Trail. He spent a year hiking from Delaware to Oregon and back. Distance running was a passion when Mike was young, and he won the State of Delaware AAU Cross-Country Championship in his age bracket. Mike held diverse jobs during his career, but his love was working with horses, including harness racing horses, thoroughbreds, and for a time, the Lipizzaner Stallions.

Mike loved reading, including classical Greek and Roman writers. His favorite work was Homer’s Odyssey. He enjoyed reading and writing poetry, including Haiku. He brewed his own beer. Art was an important part of his life. His favorite painter was Vincent van Gogh, a fellow redhead. He attended courses at the University of Delaware’s Academy of Lifelong Learning, including studies in Native American Indian culture and literature. Later in life, he took up the piano and guitar. One of Mike’s great interests was collecting. He assembled unique collections of sports memorabilia, Greek and Roman coins and artifacts, pottery, and tea services.

Above all, Mike cherished his family. He was a kind and thoughtful brother, and a generous and caring uncle. He made birthdays and holidays special. He cooked many meals for his nephews, played sports and videogames with them, and taught them to drive. He was an avid baseball fan, and enjoyed watching his nephew’s Little League games. He loved watching his niece’s ballet recitals and following her progress in Irish step dancing. Mike was a compassionate and gentle soul, who will be dearly missed by all who were lucky enough to know him.

Michael was the first-born son of Francis J. Murphy, Sr. and Natalie J. Murphy. His survivors include his sister Kathleen Case and her husband John, his brother Kevin Murphy and his wife, Sharon, his brother Frank Murphy and his wife Brigitte, and brothers Dan and Sean Murphy. He is also survived by his nieces Scarlett Murphy and Courtney Murphy, and his nephews, Tim, Ted, Brendan, Andrew, Sean, and Frank Murphy. He was predeceased by his loving sister Maureen Robinson and her husband, Andrew.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a contribution to the Ministry of Caring, 115 E. 14th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801 in memory of Mike.