Vincent Edward Murphy

Vincent Edward Murphy passed away Thursday, September 26, 2024, at the age of 85. A memorial mass will be held in his honor at noon on October 25, 2024, at Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos Catholic Church located at 31122 Highway 31 Spanish Fort, Alabama 36527.  There will be a private burial at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spanish Fort. 

Vin was born in Medford, Massachusetts to Peter and Adeline Murphy March 13, 1939 but grew up in Winchester, Massachusetts along with his brother Peter and sister Suzanne. As a kid, Vin was lively, curious, mischievous at times, and always very social. In high school, he played football for Winchester High School and was recruited by US Military Academy in West Point, New York.

While attending West Point, classmate Michael “Mickey” Bartelme set Vin up on a blind date with his sister who was coming in town for June Week. Vin called it, ”The best blind date West Point ever had.” Mary Bartelme later became Mary Murphy, his wife of 60 years. 

Vin and Mary were married February 8, 1964, in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. From there they moved all around the country with the military having daughters at three different bases. When Vin left the military, he started a career with Scott Paper Company lasting the next 27 years. After retirement they were able to spend another 27 years together. 

Vin graduated from West Point in 1962. While in the military, he was a member of the 82nd Airborne, an Artillery Officer, Battalion Commander and Intelligence Officer among other duties. Vin was deployed to Vietnam 1965-66 and the Korean DMV in 1969. He rose to the rank of Major by age 30. Vin received the Combat Infantry Badge, and multiple decorations including the Bronze Star. After the military, Vin earned an MBA from The Wharton School of Business.

Friends have described Vin as “Loyal”, “A proud family man”, “Hardcore”, “High standards”, “Well respected”, "Courageous" and “A person you were proud to know.” He was also known for his great sense of humor, a love for great food, everything Irish and of course, “Go Army, Beat Navy.” 

Vincent Murphy is proceeded in death by his wife, Mary Murphy. He is survived by his Children; Linda Murphy Pond (Ashton Pond), Deborah Murphy Sims (Richard Sims), Kathy Murphy Norton (James Norton). Grandchildren; Micheal Ashton Pond, Daniel Pond, Caroline (Pond) Soloman, James Norton, Mary Kathryn (Norton) Karpenko, Madison Sims, Molly Sims. Great- grandchildren; Grace Pond, James Karpenko, Lillian Soloman. He is also survived by his sister Suzanne Little and brother Peter Murphy. 

In remembrance of Vincent Murphy’s life, the family asks that charitable donations are made in his honor to Wounded Warrior’s Project: woundedwarriorproject.org or The Lighthouse: thelighthouseabeacon.org, a local domestic violence shelter.