U.S. Navy veteran, avid yachtsman, known for generosity
Published in the June 1, 2016 edition
LYNNFIELD — Robert O. Murphy, DMD, of Lynnfield and formerly of Arlington, passed away early Sunday morning, May 22, 2016 at Hathorne Hill.
He was the best friend and beloved husband of Linda (Mannix) Murphy and a loving and devoted father of Robin and Dr. W. Wesley Reed of Lynnfield and Suzanne and Chris Reilly of Marblehead. He was the cherished “Bibi” to his twin grandsons, Lucas and Sheamus Reilly.
Robert was the son of the late Timothy and Anne (Hughes) of Arlington. He is survived by his loving brother and sister-in-law, Paul Hughes and Anne Marguerite Murphy of Marshfield. He was also the brother of the late Richard Murphy.
He was a proud “Double Eagle,” graduating from Boston College High School in 1959 and receiving his B.A. from Boston College in 1963. Upon graduating, he entered Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and was awarded his DMD degree in 1967.
Already a Naval Officer, he was stationed at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, N.C. from 1967-1969. He continued on in the Naval Reserves for several decades, retiring finally as a full Commander.
Bob was known by everyone as a kind and generous man always ready with a helping hand or a joke, depending on what was needed most. He loved life, his family and his friends. He enjoyed music, travel and golf, but his true passion in life was sailing. As a member of the Boston Yacht Club in Marblehead, he spent many tranquil hours sailing his beloved racing yacht Defiance and almost as many less tranquil hours racing her out of Marblehead Harbor. His mischievous grin was his trademark.
During his career in dentistry he was a member of the ADA and the Middlesex Dental Society. He practiced dentistry at the same location in Arlington for 45 years and was loved by his patients and long-time staff alike. He quietly and with little fanfare was involved with and supported numerous organizations and charities.
His funeral will be held from the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Wednesday, June 1 at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass at Saint Maria Goretti Church, 112 Chestnut St., Lynnfield. Visitation for relatives and friends was held at the funeral home on Tuesday.
It is the family’s wish that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Bob’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, Chicago, Ill., (www.alz.org); Autism Speaks, New York, N.Y. (www.autismspeaks.org); or as a special tribute to him to engage in the acts of kindness that he so often performed.
