Dr. John C. “Jack” Murphy, Ph.D., went to be with his Lord on Monday, June 20, 2011. 

Born in Brooklyn, New York on August 26, 1918, to John Clarence and Rose Demorest Murphy, he was a long-time resident of Ithaca and Trumansburg, having left the Big City in 1938.  He attended Brooklyn public schools and graduated from Manual Training High School in June 1935.

 Employed by the United Fruit Steamship Company from September 1935 to August 1938 in a clerical position, he entered Cornell in the class of 1942, graduating with his B.S. in Science Teaching in January 1943.  Soon after, he was employed as the solo math and science teacher at Van Etten Central School.  This was a short tenure, since Uncle Sam called, and he left for Navy service in July 1944.  In September 1944 he married Ruth Lois Black, daughter of Assemblyman Jerry W. Black and Mabel Bower Black.  He served as an Electronics Petty Officer, until mustering out in February 1946 at Sampson Naval Base.  Pursuing his advanced degree in the Cornell Graduate School of Education, he received his Master of Science in Education in 1947, and the Doctor of Philosophy in 1949.  Ruth was employed by Cornell during this time and earned her ”PHT” (Putting Hubby Through).  Then Jack was employed by the NYS College of Agriculture as Supervisor of Planning and Development, under the direction of Professor Arthur Peterson, Director of Finance.  This position involved a myriad of independent activities – personnel, finance, and operations.  In 1956 his wife Ruth contracted inoperable cancer, and despite the efforts of the Roswell Park Institute, she passed away that same year.  They had a loving marriage of twelve years, and three children, Linda Sue, John C. III, and Daniel Charles. 

Later that year, Jack met Oma Angie Worley, a charming Tennessee girl, and they were married in July 1957 at Angie’s family home in Hampshire, Tennessee.  They had three more children, Sharon Rose, Robert Alonzo, and Barbara Ann.  After a wonderful 52 years together, Miss Angie passed away in June 2010. 

Jack retired from Cornell in 1971, after 22 years, to do more of his cherished teaching.  He was recruited by the NYS Department of Education to conduct a survey of educational needs for handicapped students, for which a grant of $1,000,000 was allocated.  The year 1976 was the start of his association with the NYS Department of Corrections, which continued until his final retirement in 1989.  Hired first by the Elmira Correctional Facility, he conducted the evening program for 300 inmates until 1979, after which he taught Title One mathematics for several years.  During this time he developed the Generic Skills Evaluation, now a feature in many state facilities.  In 1984 he joined the faculty of Auburn Community College as a professor of mathematics, and continued his math instruction at Auburn Prison until retiring in 1989. 

Left behind are six children to mourn his passing and celebrate his life of service, as well as Angie’s brother Sam Worley and his wife Jean, twelve grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Calling hours are Sunday, June 26, 3-4pm at the Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South St., Trumansburg, with brief service to follow at 4pm.  Private burial services will be held at Grove Cemetery. 

Family graciously declines flowers.  Jack would be grateful for a donation to the Tompkins County SPCA, 1640 Hanshaw Road, Ithaca, NY 14850, to honor him and his beloved cats, or to a charity of one’s choice.