Dennis F. Murphy, Jr.

Dennis Francis Murphy, Jr., age 94, of South Hadley, passed away peacefully at his home in the presence of his loving family on Thursday, October 15, 2020. He was born in Holyoke, son of the late Dennis F. and Antoinette (Gregoire) Murphy and was a 1945 graduate of Holyoke High School. After high school, Denny attended Suffield Academy for a year followed by another year at Holyoke Community College. He graduated from UMASS with a Bachelor’s Degree, and later a Master’s Degree in Teaching from Westfield State University. Denny was a United States Army Air Corps Veteran of World War II, serving in Italy and attaining the rank of Sergeant. He enjoyed a 34-year career as a Holyoke Public School teacher, and coached freshman football at Holyoke High School for more than 20 years. Denny was a recipient of the Pope Pius X Award for excellence in teaching Christian doctrine, and received the Holyoke Community College Volunteer of The Year Award in 2007. He was a member of the National Education Association, Disabled American Veterans, and AARP. Denny was past-president of “Friends of Western Massachusetts Hospital Inc.,” which was formed in an effort to keep the hospital open. He was the widower of Elizabeth A. “Betty” (Greaney) Murphy, who predeceased him on December 12, 2019. Denny is survived by a son, Dennis F. Murphy, III of Simsbury, CT; two daughters, Marie A. Tanguay and her husband Warren of Westfield, and Christine Murphy of South Hadley; five grandchildren: Alison Scanlon Torrone, Dennis F. Murphy, IIII, Warren and Ashley Tanguay, and Jessica Allen; three great-grandchildren: Mary and Jack Torrone, and Everleigh Tanguay; a brother-in-law, Howard Greaney and his wife Ellen; and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents and wife, Denny was predeceased by a daughter, Mary (Murphy) Scanlon in 1996, and a sister, Mary (Murphy) Hogan. Relatives and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial for Dennis on Monday, October 19th at 11 am at Saint Patrick Church, 30 Main Street, South Hadley. Burial will be private and there are no calling hours. The Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Denny’s memory to Hospice Life Care, 575 Beech Street, Holyoke, MA 01040.

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