Obituary for Richard T. Murphy
Richard T. (“Dick”) Murphy
Of Winchester, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, April 15, 2022, surrounded by his family after a long battle with cancer. It was his 50th wedding anniversary to his beloved wife Joan (Wilson) Murphy.
Originally from Dorchester, Dick attended St. Gregory’s Elementary School, with his future wife, and Catholic Memorial High School. Dick earned a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University and a master’s degree from Bridgewater State College in education. A lifelong learner, at age 48 he received a master's degree in taxation from Northeastern.
Dick began his teaching career at Dedham High School, but quickly found his home and so many lifetime friends in the Boston Public Schools, first at English High School and then at West Roxbury High School. He retired from teaching after 37 years. In addition to teaching math and computer science to high schoolers, Dick also taught in Northeastern’s evening program, patiently helping math-phobic adults.
Dick did not confine his affinity for numbers and desire to help people to the arena of formal education, however. Through his tax practice at Feenan Financial and his personal clients, Dick helped many people navigate the tax code and life by preparing their taxes and providing financial guidance, including to non-clients; he truly enjoyed catching up each year on the major events friend’s lives and strategizing how they could achieve their goals, imploring them to reach out even in the off season when they had questions. Dick also worked as real estate agent for a period, but his interest in real estate continued long after that and he considered visiting open houses a “fun” weekend activity. In his downtime, Dick loved spending time on Cape Cod and used his financial skills to benefit his community there by serving as the treasurer of the Silver Springs Beach Association for over three decades.
Dick leaves behind Joan, his high school sweetheart and one and only true love, and his two daughters, Jennifer and Kathleen, who he loved immensely and of whom he was incredibly proud. He was the oldest of five and is survived by all his siblings and their spouses: Frances Murphy of Mashpee; Anne Oppedisano and her husband Joe of Malden; Peter Murphy and his wife Clare of Stoughton; and Peggy Harrington and her husband Joe of Reading. Whether it was joyful and chaotic Christmas gatherings or a recent 17-person trip to Ireland with siblings, niblings and in-laws, summer cookouts with his Westie/English High “family,” or childhood summers with cousins at Blackmore Pond, Dick loved spending time with family.
Visiting hours will be held at Lane Funeral Home in Winchester on Thursday, April 21st from 4 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be the next day at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Winchester at 10 a.m. with burial to follow at Wildwood Cemetery. At the request of the family, please wear a mask.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dick’s name to Catholic Memorial High School or the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.
Of Winchester, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, April 15, 2022, surrounded by his family after a long battle with cancer. It was his 50th wedding anniversary to his beloved wife Joan (Wilson) Murphy.
Originally from Dorchester, Dick attended St. Gregory’s Elementary School, with his future wife, and Catholic Memorial High School. Dick earned a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University and a master’s degree from Bridgewater State College in education. A lifelong learner, at age 48 he received a master's degree in taxation from Northeastern.
Dick began his teaching career at Dedham High School, but quickly found his home and so many lifetime friends in the Boston Public Schools, first at English High School and then at West Roxbury High School. He retired from teaching after 37 years. In addition to teaching math and computer science to high schoolers, Dick also taught in Northeastern’s evening program, patiently helping math-phobic adults.
Dick did not confine his affinity for numbers and desire to help people to the arena of formal education, however. Through his tax practice at Feenan Financial and his personal clients, Dick helped many people navigate the tax code and life by preparing their taxes and providing financial guidance, including to non-clients; he truly enjoyed catching up each year on the major events friend’s lives and strategizing how they could achieve their goals, imploring them to reach out even in the off season when they had questions. Dick also worked as real estate agent for a period, but his interest in real estate continued long after that and he considered visiting open houses a “fun” weekend activity. In his downtime, Dick loved spending time on Cape Cod and used his financial skills to benefit his community there by serving as the treasurer of the Silver Springs Beach Association for over three decades.
Dick leaves behind Joan, his high school sweetheart and one and only true love, and his two daughters, Jennifer and Kathleen, who he loved immensely and of whom he was incredibly proud. He was the oldest of five and is survived by all his siblings and their spouses: Frances Murphy of Mashpee; Anne Oppedisano and her husband Joe of Malden; Peter Murphy and his wife Clare of Stoughton; and Peggy Harrington and her husband Joe of Reading. Whether it was joyful and chaotic Christmas gatherings or a recent 17-person trip to Ireland with siblings, niblings and in-laws, summer cookouts with his Westie/English High “family,” or childhood summers with cousins at Blackmore Pond, Dick loved spending time with family.
Visiting hours will be held at Lane Funeral Home in Winchester on Thursday, April 21st from 4 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be the next day at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Winchester at 10 a.m. with burial to follow at Wildwood Cemetery. At the request of the family, please wear a mask.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dick’s name to Catholic Memorial High School or the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.