Brookfield resident and Milwaukee area marketing executive, John Murphy, passed away suddenly and peacefully on December 12, 2019
John and Judi Murphy. Photo courtesy of Murphy Associates.
Most loved husband of Judi (nee Anderson). Proud father of Jay, Chris, Todd, Steve, and Noel.
Born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, John graduated from Cornell University. He was an executive at Ford, Lincoln, Stran Steel, Xerox, Blackhawk Mfg. Co., and Rexnord. He specialized in marketing, mergers and acquisitions, new product development, and company culture. His career took the family from Detroit to Rochester, NY, to Milwaukee, to Boston, back to Detroit, and back to Milwaukee where he started Murphy Associates.
John founded Murphy Associates, well-known regional marketing strategy and public relations firm in SE Wisconsin. Active in Sales & Marketing Executives, and West Allis, Wauwatosa, Waukesha Chambers, he found a cultural home at the Greater Brookfield Chamber of Commerce, where he was a member for 25+ years. He was a board member at Elmbrook Humane Society and Metropolitan Speakers Group as well as a chamber ambassador. John taught marketing at Marquette University, UW-Milwaukee, and WCTC.
Making furniture was a passion. Specializing in mahogany and walnut woods, John designed and made most of the furniture in his and Judi’s homes. From dining room and kitchen tables, sideboards, lowboys, desks, knife boxes, bookcases, coffee tables, to a four-poster bed, his talent and quality were exceptional. He also designed the homes they built in Boston & Brookfield, and remodeled the family home in Whitefish Bay.
John is survived by his wife, Judi, and his three sons, Steve, Noel, and Todd, nieces and nephews, and many good friends of long-standing. He was preceded in death by sons Jay and Chris, his parents, and his seven brothers and sisters.
As generous as he was in life, John selflessly donated his body to the Medical College of Wisconsin for research. Although the last eighteen years of his life were filled with serious and complex medical issues, he never complained. At John’s request, there will be no funeral service.
A heartfelt thank you goes to Warren RN, Lisa CNA, Heidi MSW, and Michelle RN of Ascension At Home Hospice who lovingly and gently cared for John.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in John’s memory to provide pro bono marketing services to fledgling entrepreneurs. Checks may be sent to Judi with memo line “Help Them Fly.” This is the best way to remember John.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
