In Memoriam: Gene Murphy

	Gene Murphy

Eugene (Gene) Thomas Murphy, founder of Orlando-based Murphy Lighting Systems, passed away unexpectedly on September 7.

Murphy was born to Olga (Dabkoski) and Lawrence Murphy on March 24, 1938, in Jersey City, New Jersey, and, with his older brother Larry, was raised mainly by their Aunt Anne and Uncle Gene. After graduating from high school in 1956, he wanted to be an engineer but could not afford college. Instead, he worked for the telephone company in New York. He told stories about launching giant paper airplanes from the company's high-rise building. In 1960, he and two friends drove across the country to California, where they worked in Yosemite National Park for the summer. Yosemite always held a special place in Murphy's heart.

Murphy returned home to work for IBM, installing and repairing punch card systems. He returned to California to attend Fresno State College, originally for an engineering degree, but switched and instead earned a B.S. in mass communications/radio and television. He also studied theatre. There he met his first wife, Sharil [Martin], a student working in the college communication office. They married and started a family and had a son, Chris, and a daughter, Shonna.

The family moved to San Francisco, where Murphy installed and serviced X-ray equipment by day and sold Fuller Brush products at night. He and Sheril returned to Fresno State to pursue their bachelor's degrees, both finishing in 1966. In 1967, they moved to Detroit, where Murphy took a job at Wayne State University, producing and directing instructional videotapes. Next, he was hired by Kliegl Lighting, selling lighting systems; the family moved to New Jersey, then back to San Francisco, where Murphy helped open Kliegl's West Coast office. He sold the first major touring rig to Creedence Clearwater Revival after meeting the band and their manager at a warehouse in Oakland. He joined Colortran in 1971, moving the family to the Los Angeles area. Each new job brought Gene additional experience and expertise in the lighting industry.

Sharil and Murphy divorced in 1976, and he married his second wife, Frances (Gryczan), in 1978. They moved to Florida, where he began working for Nautilus Sports Medicine, designing and constructing its TV/motion picture studios to produce videotapes for Nautilus fitness equipment. He also led the introduction of Nautilus' home exercise equipment line.

In 1979, Murphy Lighting was born in Central Florida, representing Strand Lighting for television in Florida. The firm designed the systems and supplied the lighting to CNN; Murphy was in the studio with Ted Turner when the network signed on for the first time in 1980. Murphy's Strand territory later expanded to the Southeastern US and Caribbean and included theatre and architectural lighting. Sales were so good that Strand hired Muphy as vice president of sales and marketing. He returned to take the reins at Murphy Lighting in 1985. In 1995, Murphy Lighting became one of the first true systems integration firms, combining equipment from various manufacturers to create the best solutions for its customers. He sold the company in 2003 to his son, Chris, who continues as president.

In a statement, Murphy's family says, "As a founder, Gene was driven by a restless desire to learn, improve, and build something that would endure. He was never afraid to take a risk, to challenge conventional thinking, or to venture into unfamiliar territory when he believed there was a better way forward. With determination, curiosity, and an entrepreneurial spirit, he had a strong belief in what was possible. He lives on in the people he inspired, the opportunities he created, and the culture and foundation he left for those who would carry his work forward. Gene's work ethic and legacy continue at Murphy Lighting today, proudly delivering excellence for nearly 50 years.

"Gene was self-taught at fixing just about anything and excelled in electronics and computers. He had a generous spirit and was the first to help others. His neighbors could rely on Gene to fix their cable box, hook up a DVD player, mount shower grab bars, or install televisions or dimmer switches. Gene was always at the forefront of the latest technology, whether it was the first microwave, a laser disc player with a rear-projection big-screen TV, or the best computer for video editing with multiple five-terabyte external drives of videos and photos of his family.

"Gene loved to travel and visited every state in the United States except South Dakota and Alaska. He enjoyed cruises with friends and family and trips to Italy and Ireland with Fran. Mostly, Gene loved his family. He planned large family reunions with all the kids and grandkids in locations across the US, complete with games, talent shows, and beach excursions. He was rarely without a camera and took hours of footage of these events, which he later edited into keepsakes for the whole family. Gene's greatest joy was his family, and he could be relied upon to attend every graduation, wedding, and family gathering, and he had the opportunity to meet four of his five great-grandchildren prior to his passing."

Murphy was preceded in death by his parents and brother. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Frances; his son, Chris, and his wife, Kristina Murphy, and their children, Molly Maxfield (Collin) and Jack Murphy; and daughter Shonna Halterman, her husband, Lee Halterman, and their sons, Scott (Helen), Brett (Katy), and Garrett. Murphy's stepchildren are Noreen McNamara and her daughters Anna Ledwith (Dustan Dacier) and Erin Ledwith; David McNamara (Diane), and children Kelsey Krause (Matt); Scott McNamara, and Lauren Mahesri (Kumail); Michael McNamara (Liz) and children Madeline Kaham (Brad) and Emma McNamara; Catherine McKenzie (Scott) and daughter Alice. He was also a proud "Great-Genepa" to Nolan Maxfield, Liam Krause, Nora Krause, Remy Krause, and Neela Mahesri.

A service will be held at 1pm on Friday, October 30, at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Winter Park, Florida. The celebration of life party that he requested is directly afterward at The University Club of Winter Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to his favorite charities:

Camp Boggy Creek - www.boggycreek.org
Canine Companions - www.canine.org
St. Joseph's Indian School - www.stjo.org