Obituary: Daniel Patrick Murphy, 31, of Oakdale

Information via Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Homes

Daniel Patrick Murphy, 31, of Oakdale, died unexpectedly at home on Saturday, November 26, 2016. He was born January 8, 1985, in New London, Connecticut, the son of Michael J. and Debra K. (LaSala) Murphy.

Dan was a 2003 graduate of Montville High School, where he was an accomplished athlete. He was a four-year starter in goal for the soccer team, lettered in track, and excelled as a wrestler. In 2003, he was an individual state champion and a member of Montville High's state championship wrestling team. He enrolled at Eastern Connecticut State University, where he had one impressive season as starting goalkeeper for the intercollegiate soccer team.

Dan's talents were not confined to the playing field. He was a gifted artist from an early age, and his family loved to display his work at home. His true passion, however, was music. A multi-instrumentalist who mastered the drum set and the guitar, he enjoyed composing original music. He wrote and performed all of the instrumental components of his songs, and used his computer to piece together each layer of the final recording. He often described the act of writing and playing music as invigorating and life-affirming.

After leaving college, he worked in several restaurants and bars in southeastern Connecticut before migrating to his ancestral homeland: Long Island, New York. With his trusty knife kit, Dan was a diligent culinary worker whose pursuit of employment led him to restaurants throughout Nassau County. He developed considerable skill working in seafood preparation, and only recently returned to Connecticut, where he was employed at Flanders Fish Market in East Lyme.

He is survived by his parents, along with his brother, Mick, his future sister-in-law, Sarah, his dog best friend, Max, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. He was predeceased by his grandparents, Jenny and Salvatore LaSala and Ailene and Michael Murphy. He will be missed most for his warm smile, his comedic timing, and his relentless quest to bring laughter to a room.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday (Dec. 1st) from 4-7 pm at the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 48 Grand Street, Niantic. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his name to a charity of your choice.

Please visit www.neilanfuneralhome.com to view the online video tribute or to leave a condolence message for Dan's family.