Remembering George J. Murphy Sr. (2024)

George J. Murphy Sr. of Waterbury, Connecticut

October 30, 1937 – July 28, 2021

George James Murphy Sr.

“Proud Veteran of the US Air Force and loving father and grandfather”

George James Murphy, 83, of Waterbury, entered the gates of heaven on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 at his home. George was born in Sardinia, New York on October 30, 1937, son of the late Michael (Frank) and Madalene (Tamoulis) Murphy. At age 2 he moved to Waterbury and attended Sprague School and Crosby High School. While in grade school he served as an altar boy at the old Saint Michael’s Church across from Sprague School. He sang in various musicals at Sprague and the old Ville Theatre. He played ball for the Waterville Red Sox and basketball for Sprague School. He worked at Lowes Poli Theatre during high school as an usher and a ticket taker. After graduating Crosby High in 1955, he entered the United States Air Force. He went through boot camp in Geneva, New York, trained at Warren AFB in Cheyenne, Wyoming and was later stationed at McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas. After coming home from the service he attended classes at the UCONN branch in Waterbury and worked at Flanagan’s Cleaners and later DeMunda’s Cleaners. In 1972 he began his own dry cleaning business: George’s Dry Cleaning and made many good friends on his routes over the years. He retired from the business and drove a school bus for Allstar and Laidlaw Transportation. He always shared stories about “his kids” and truly enjoyed talking with them. George was an avid Boston Red Sox fan and instilled his love of the team and all sports with his children. He was active in the Bunker Hill Sports Association and coached his son’s little league baseball teams and always instilled in them the spirit of competition, fair play and respect for their opponents. He was very active with the YMCA and involved his sons in the Indian Guides. He was a student of Judo, fencing and later on he enjoyed Tai Chi. He was a lover of languages and took several classes at Waterbury Adult Ed. He could speak many foreign languages and enjoyed speaking to people in their native tongue. George never missed Jeopardy and enjoyed his morning Jumble and crossword puzzles. He loved to dance and sing and took lessons in Swing. He loved to dance with his granddaughters and show off his moves. He was an accomplished accordion player and had a lovely tenor voice- his favorite song to sing was Oh Danny Boy. He adored his grandchildren and loved to tell them stories about his life. He was especially proud of his grandchildren Brianna and Caleigh Petrillo and he always attended their dance recitals, school functions and sporting events. They will miss him dearly and their “dates” with Grandpa. George loved to share stories (to whoever would listen) about his children and grandchildren and those who know him, can speak of his corny jokes! He loved to travel and enjoyed cruises and especially liked his visits to Texas to visit with his son Kevin and daughter in law, Rainy, and of course he attended Houston Astros games. George is survived by his four children: Valerie Petrillo of Oakville, Connecticut, Colleen Barry of Fair Haven, New Jersey, Dr. George J. Murphy Jr. of Boston, Massachusetts, and Kevin Murphy of Missouri City, Texas. He also leaves behind 6 grandchildren: Conor, Morgan, Brianna, Brendan, Caleigh and Aidan. He was predeceased by his siblings Mary Andrews, John Murphy, Madeline DeFranco, Michael Murphy and Thomas Murphy. The family wishes to thank Robin Davis, his recent home health aide who grew close to him in a short time and became a trusted companion.

A Celebration of George’s life will be held on Thursday August 5, 2021 at Blessed Sacrament Church, 182 Robbins street, Waterbury at 10am. Burial will follow at State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown. In lieu of flowers, donations in George’s memory can be sent to help military families : House of Heroes Connecticut 3342 Whitney Avenue Hamden, CT 06518 hohct.org. Condolences may be expressed at www.Colonialfunerals.com.