MURPHY, Ralph Anthony, M.D., died peacefully surrounded by family, at his home at the Terraces in Bonita Springs, Florida on September 3, 2017. He was 88. Born November 11, 1928, to Francis and Mary Ann (McGlynn) Murphy in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Ralph was the youngest of seven children. Ralph received his bachelor's degree from Boston College and his medical degree from New York Medical College. He was a US Army veteran. He met the love of his life, Margaret Coppinger, while both were working at Murphy Hospital in Waltham, Massachusetts and they married in 1955. Ralph was a board-certified pathologist and worked throughout his career in Rye, New York, and Lexington, Kentucky. He retired to Cape Cod, and later to Naples and Bonita Springs, Florida. Ralph was on the Board of Health for Barnstable County, Massachusetts and championed the Board's efforts to ban smoking in public spaces. In addition to medicine, Ralph had other interests and passions in life. He loved languages (he could converse in at least seven!) and engaged with non-English language speakers whenever he could. He enjoyed classical music and opera. Ralph was curious and a lifelong learner; he enjoyed keeping up with technology and marveled at the information that became so readily available to him on his computers, iPad and smart phone. He also enjoyed travel-- to Ireland, Europe, or across the U.S. and Mexico. Ralph and Margaret volunteered for a period of time in their retirement at Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos orphanage in Cuernavaca, Mexico, a very meaningful experience for them. In his last years, Ralph was very involved in the work of the Alzheimer's Support Network in Naples, Florida, educating himself and becoming a wonderful caregiver. Ralph had a remarkable memory and loved telling stories of his experiences as a youth, in medical practice, and while traveling. It is said that hearing is the last of the senses to go, but for Ralph, it was his sense of humor which was with him until the very end. He leaves his family with a rich catalog of Dad one liners and humorous stories. Ralph is survived by his wife of 62 years, Margaret, originally of Medford, Massachusetts. He also survived by his seven children, Ralph, Jr. of Riverside, California; Jane (Burt Hadlock) of Montreal, Quebec; Mary, Falmouth, Massachusetts; Thaddeus (Elizabeth) of San Raphael, California; Stephanie (Douglas Sheprow) of Falmouth, Massachusetts; Sean (Betsy) of Havertown, Pennsylvania; and Michael of Napa, California. Ralph's grandchildren are Liam Hay, Kerry McCullock, Lila Murphy, Griffin Murphy, Julius Murphy, and Atticus Murphy. Ralph is also survived by his sister Eileen (Murphy) Roberts. He is preceded in death by his sisters Katherine Donovan, Mary Smith, Frances Epstine and brothers Paul Murphy and Joseph Murphy, M.D. At his request a small family service is planned for the interment at Bourne National Veterans Cemetery in Bourne, Massachusetts. Those who wish, might consider a donation in his memory to Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos Mexico Apdo Postal 333, 62000 Cuernavaca, Morelo, Mexico or to the Alzheimer's Support Network, 660 Tamiami Trail North, Suite 21, Naples, Florida 34102. Online condolences may be offered at www.shikanyfuneralhome.com.

Shikay's Bonita Funeral Home
28300 So. Tamiami Tr., Bonita Springs, FL 34134
(239) 992-4982

Published in the Boston Globe on Sept. 10, 2017