​John Donald Murphy, Former Port Jeff Fire Chief, Dies At 90

John Donald “Murph” Murphy, Sr., a native of Port Jefferson who served in the fire department and village's highway department, died Dec. 7 at Winchester Medical Center in Frederick County, Virginia. He was 90.

Murphy was born in 1928 in Port Jefferson, the son of the late John and Elsie Murphy. He graduated from Port Jefferson High School, Class of 1946 and was a veteran of the United States Army.

Murphy was a self-employed carpenter and retired from Port Jefferson Highway Department. He was the past Fire Chief and Commissioner of the Port Jefferson Fire Department and a volunteer for the Port Jefferson Ambulance Service. Murphy enjoyed bird watching, gardening, carpentry, collecting stamps, and talking about Port Jefferson history.

He was an avid animal lover and a member of Fairview United Methodist Church, where he helped build the outdoor gazebo, and was a faithful blood donor.

He married Shirley Mohlmann on July 17, 1954 in Port Jefferson, New York.
Surviving with his wife is a daughter, Susan H. Goodison (Michael); sons, John D. Murphy, Jr. (Sandra) and Timothy G. Murphy; grandchildren, Erin Barone (Andrew), Dugan, Ian and Quinn Murphy.

Murphy was preceded in death by a brother, Alan M. Murphy.

The family will receive friends from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel.

A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Fairview United Methodist Church with Reverend Laetitia Schoeman officiating. Interment will be at a later date in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Port Jefferson, New York.

Memorial contributions may be made in Murph’s memory to North Shore Animal League, 25 Davis Avenue, Port Washington, New York 11050 or Port Jefferson Fire Department, 115 Maple Place, Port Jefferson, New York 11777.