James D. Murphy

GARDNER - James David "Jim" Murphy, 79, beloved husband and father died after an illness at Heywood Hospital on October 31, 2009. Born on December 19, 1929 in Gardner, MA, he was the son of Francis J. Murphy Sr. who emigrated from Glasgow Scotland and Mary "Molly" (Kelly) Murphy, daughter of Irish immigrants. He lived in Gardner most of his life, attended Sacred Heart School and was a 1948 graduate of Gardner High School. He attended the Clark University School of the Worcester Art Museum and was a 1951 graduate of Vesper George College of Art. He received a BA in Business Administration from American National University. He married the love of his life, Louise der Sahagian on September 23, 1956 at St. Paul's Cathedral in Worcester, MA and recently celebrated his 53rd Wedding Anniversary. He was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Gardner, MA. He retired in 1992 from the Worcester County Institute for Savings, formerly the New England All Bank, where he served as Marketing and Public Relations Officer and Community Reinvestment Act Officer. He previously was employed at The Gardner News as the Advertising Director, cartoonist and staff artist from 1961 to 1986. Over 1,200 of his cartoons, drawing and sketches were published in the paper. Prior to his work at the News, he was employed as the VP of Advertising at the former Goodnow Pearson's Department Store and worked on Display and Sales Promotions at Jordan Marsh in Boston. He also was President of the M and M Arts Advertising Agency, which he founded with his friend John Michalski. He was an accomplished musician and jazz performer. He played the trombone, drums, piano and bass and was a group vocalist. He was a member of the Gardner High School band and the Florence Stove band and played with the John Palmieri Orchestra. He was co-founder with his friend the late Len Bjorson of the bands "The Four Tones" and "The Overtones" which played local venues and area weddings in the 1950's and 1960's. In the 1970's The Overtones played weekends at the Fairway in Concord. Jim was a cartoonist and was an elected member of the National Cartoonists Society. He also enjoyed oil painting, water coloring and pen and ink drawings. He illustrated the book, "Profiles of the Past," which was written by local historian Tom Malloy. He painted murals, including a large mural that he painted with all the students and staff at the Helen Mae Sauter School. His art work was exhibited at the Cape Cod Museum of Art, the World Trade Center and the Chase Manhattan Bank in NYC, the Cartoonists Museum in Florida, and at a one man show, "Jim Murphy's Art in Retrospect" at the Gardner Museum. He was commissioned to paint a portrait of Vice Admiral William Callahan, first captain of the USS Missouri, which is now on permanent display at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. He was made an honorary lifetime member of the USS Missouri (BB-63) Association, an honor shared with only two other individuals, President Harry Truman and his daughter Margaret. He loved the City of Gardner and its people, and devoted many years of his life to public service. He recently resigned from the Gardner Redevelopment Authority after serving for 17 years on its board and as its Treasurer. Last week, he was granted Member Emeritus status and was presented a plaque by the GRA Board. He was a board member of the former EEG, Elderly of Greater Gardner. He was a member of the Gardner Council on Aging since 1993 and was the current Chair of the Board. He served as the first Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner from 1981 to 1992, and was honored as Chairman Emeritus in 1992. The "James D. Murphy Conference" room at the college was named in his honor. He was a past president of the Massachusetts Community College Association. He served as a volunteer with his dear friend John Glebaucis for the Salvation Army and was past Chairman of the Service Extension Unit and Publicity Chair. He was also a past volunteer for the American Cancer Society, the National Day of Prayer serving as its Chair from 1996 to 1998, and the United Way. He was known as "Mr. Emcee" having served as master of ceremonies for numerous local events including the GGCC's annual banquets, Goodnow Pearson's Chester Social Club events, political events and Mayor Gerald St. Hilaire's inauguration. He presented a lecture at the Gardner Museum entitled "Love of Hometown" at the opening night of his exhibit of Gardner memorabilia. He was admired for his great Irish sense of humor and quick wit. He was a lifelong Democrat and volunteered for many local, state and national campaigns. He was the local campaign manager or area coordinator for campaigns for Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Congressman John Olver, and State Senator Robert Antonioni. He was an elected member of Gardner's Democratic City Committee and was a delegate to numerous state Democratic conventions. He received many awards and citations over the years, including a Summit Award celebrating the 40th Anniversary of MWCC, the Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce's Community Service Award, the Chamber's Citizen of the Year in 1988, the Thomas Binnall Citizens Award, Who's Who in Sales and Marketing, the Salvation Army Massachusetts Special Service Award, the New England Newspaper Advertising Executives Association Leadership and Lifetime membership awards, a Grand Gardnerite award, and was recently named a Distinguished Alumni of Gardner High School. Jim was a member and Past Vice President and President of the Gardner Museum, the Four Freshman Society, and a life member of the Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce where he also formerly served as a Chamber ambassador. He was a former member of Square II, Gardner CDC, the Gardner Land Grant Board of Directors, the Gardner Artists Association, the New England Bank Marketing Association and was a member and Past President of the New England Advertising Executives Association. He also served as a reserve deputy for the Worcester County Sheriff's Association. He participated in the Citizen's Legislative Seminar, conducted by the Senate Legislative Education Office and the Banker's Educational Forum. He leaves his beloved wife, Louise, and his loving daughters, Donna, Sheila and Sherrill Murphy of Gardner; his sister-in-law, Victoria Murphy of Virginia; his nephews, George and Brian Murphy of Virginia; and numerous cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, by his brother, Francis J. Murphy, Jr., and by his nephew Kevin Murphy. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. in the Sacred Heart Church, 166 Cross St., Gardner. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery, Gardner. Calling hours will be held Wednesday, November 4, 2009 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Mack Funeral Home, 91 Vernon St., Gardner. Flowers may be sent or donations may be made in his name to The Mount Wachusett Community College Foundation, 444 Green Street, Gardner, MA. $(document).ready(function(){ });