Lee J. Murphy

Lee Murphy, age 91, originally of Menasha, passed away Sunday, October 6, 2024, at New Perspective Senior Living in Franklin, Wisconsin. Lee was born September 25, 1933, in Appleton, son of the late Clement and Evelyn (Vanden Brand) Murphy. He was a 1952 graduate of St. Mary Central High School and in 2010 was nominated for their Hall of Fame. On August 25, 1962, he married Kathryn Hackstock at St. Mary Church in Menasha; she preceded Lee in death in 2021.

Early on, Lee worked at Kimberly – Clark for a few years and then received a Bachelor’s Degree from UW-Oshkosh in 1963, and in 1972 received his Master’s Degree from UW-Stout.

Lee will be remembered for having taught 29 years in Menasha School District where he coached basketball for seventeen years and earned the Distinguished Service Award. He was also a member of the Neenah – Menasha Arbor Day committee which honored him with the Outstanding Environmentalist Award, and was a member of Menasha’s committee on Aging, former president of the Neenah – Menasha Kiwanis, member of Menasha Knights of Columbus, and volunteered for the Red Cross and Fallen Timbers in Seymour. He was also a longtime and faithful member of St. John Catholic Church in Menasha. There he was former president of the Holy Name Society board member of the Parish Cemetery Committee and member of the School Board.

Dear to his heart was the Heckrodt Wetland Reserve in Menasha where he was their first volunteer naturalist and continued to give his time and talents to the reserve for years to come. His love for Heckrodt was born from his general love of the outdoors. He enjoyed camping, fishing, and being on the water. Much time was spent traversing the waters of Lake Winnebago in his sailboat, which he had named Pipedream.

Those who knew Lee well knew how incredibly soft-hearted he was. He was a good talker and an even better listener – he could carry on conversations with anyone from any walk of life. Every bone in his body was built on kindness, and never had anything poor to say about anyone. Until the time of his death, Lee was an avid reader. Magazines, newspapers; he would read whatever he could get his hands on. Perhaps this is what made him such a good conversationalist.

Survivors include two sons: Tim Murphy (Karen) of Greenfield and Dan (Marty Padilla-Murphy) of Chicago; a grandson: Bryson Murphy; and a sister: Patricia Murphy of Appleton. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Katie Murphy.

The funeral liturgy for Lee will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at St. Mary Catholic Church, located at 528 2nd Street in Menasha. Fr. Michael Lightner will officiate, and Lee will be placed at rest along with his dear Katie, in St. John Cemetery. Visitation for Lee will be held directly at the Church on Saturday, October 26, from 9:00 AM until the hour of the mass at 11:00 AM.

The family would like to offer their sincere thanks to the entire staff at New Perspective Senior Living in Franklin, Wisconsin as well as Legacy Hospice Care of Elm Grove, Wisconsin, for their love, care and compassion during Lee’s time there. We will never forget your kindness.

The family has suggested that memorial contributions be directed to the Heckrodt Wetland Reserve or St. John Catholic Church.