Much Beloved Former Enfield Teacher Passes Away

ENFIELD, CT — Jim Murphy, a standout college football player who became a highly-respected physical education teacher and coach for more than 10 years in Enfield, passed away Nov. 30 in Falmouth, Mass. He was 73.

Murphy, a 1963 graduate of Archbishop Williams High School in Braintree, Mass. and 2002 inductee into that school's Hall of Fame, played football at Syracuse University. As an offensive lineman, he helped open holes for dynamic running back Larry Csonka, a future Pro Football Hall of Fame honoree.

Following his senior season of 1967, the 6-foot-2, 240 lb. Murphy was a member of the winning Blue team in the annual Blue-Gray Football Classic in Montgomery, Ala. He then played in the 1968 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., a game which featured future Hall of Famer Claude Humphrey, Super Bowl champions Jim Kiick, Dick Anderson and D.D. Lewis, and longtime NFL stars Russ Washington, Haven Moses and Marvin Upshaw.

Murphy did not make the NFL, but played several seasons with the Hartford Knights of the Atlantic Coast Football League, winning three straight division titles from 1969 to 1971. The Knights were an affiliate of the Buffalo Bills.

Following his playing days, the longtime Longmeadow, Mass. resident began teaching and coaching at Kosciuszko Junior High School in Enfield, then moved to crosstown John F. Kennedy Middle School upon closure of "The Big K" in 1982. He also coached the club football team at the University of Hartford for several years.

In the mid-1980s, he left education to become a home builder and contractor, but in the 1990s, he returned to teaching in Springfield, Mass. for 15 years.

On Facebook, former student Don Durfee wrote, "Best junior high school memories are from Mr. Murphy's P.E. class. Learned a lot about life and competition from the "Big Murph." He coached our track team to an undefeated season in 1974."

Brian Sullivan wrote, "I will never forget this man. He was a big influence in my life. I was very fortunate to know him. See you in Heaven, Murph!"

Several former teaching colleagues of Murphy's also shared their memories of the big man.

"Murph had the kindest, gentlest soul," Charlene Lauria said. "He would always stop by the Tech Lab at JFK with some comment that would make me smile. He willingly shared his knowledge of computers and always had great suggestions. He was the kind of teacher that you wished could be cloned so that more students could have the chance to be taught by him. Jim was just a great guy!"

Peter Jonaitis recalled, "He was truly a gentle giant. We used to play a no-check ice hockey game, Kosciuszko teachers against Kennedy, and one year he put someone into the boards big time. Not out of malice; he was an awful skater and probably just lost control. A truly nice guy."

Murphy is survived by his wife of 50 years, Jane; two sons and a daughter; five grandchildren; two brothers and a sister. Calling hours and funeral arrangements may be found on the Chapman Cole & Gleason Funeral Home web site.

Photo courtesy of Enfield Historical Society via archive.org

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