The sports world in St. John’s and across the province is in mourning today with the passing of Dennis “Dee” Murphy Thursday morning.
Murphy passed away at St. Clare's Hospital. He was 82.
Remarkably, he was a member of 11 Halls of Fame, primarily as a builder. They include the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame and Softball Canada Hall of Fame, provincial and city softball and soccer Halls of Fame, provincial hockey, bowling and track and field Halls of Fame, Royal St. John’s Regatta Hall of Fame and the Bell Island Sports Hall of Fame.
In addition to all those, Murphy was also on the Media Wall of Fame in the Mile One Centre press box (a former St. John’s media personality, Murphy wrote for The Evening Telegram and The Daily News, and appeared on the airwaves with CJON and later NTV, along with Cable Atlantic. He was also an honourary life member of the St. John’s Athlete of the Year Committee).
His death comes eight days after his younger brother, Tom, passed away, and just two weeks after the passing of his good friend, Duey Fitzgerald.
Murphy leaves to mourn his wife, Bette, children Richard, John, Denis, Ted, Mary and Kelly and a number of grandchildren.
Visitation at Carnell’s Funeral Home 12-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Funeral Mass will be Monday morning, at a time to be determined, from St. Teresa’s Church.
