John Desmond Murphy

Wallingford - John Desmond Murphy, 58, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, June 27, 2025, following a heroic year-long battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his beloved wife and children, listening to the music he loved most. John was the devoted husband of Elizabeth “Liz” (Olney) Murphy, with whom he shared twelve loving years. In addition to his wife, John leaves behind his greatest sources of pride—his children: Walker, Patrick, and Caroline Murphy.

Born on September 5, 1966, in New Haven, John was the son of Jean (McMahon) Murphy and the late John “Jack” Murphy. He is also survived by his sisters, Joanne Murphy of Cape Canaveral, FL, and Carolyn (Murphy) McAuliffe and her husband Michael of Durham, CT, along with his nephew Sean McAuliffe (Kate), niece Shannon Kocher (James), niece Caitlin Gibbons (John), and great-niece Fiona McAuliffe. John will also be deeply missed by Liz’s family, who loved and welcomed him into the family as one of their own from the very first day they met him.

John grew up in Cheshire, a town he called home for many years, before moving to Wallingford. He held a B.S. in communications and media production from Eastern Connecticut State University. For the past eight years, John worked in media and communications for the Town of Rocky Hill, where his quick wit and technical brilliance earned him the affectionate nickname of “IT John” among his colleagues. Prior to his tenure with the Town, John built a successful career in marketing, working for Integrated Industrial Systems, Connecticut Innovations, and the Connecticut Green Bank. Additionally, he was very proud of Sonic Arts Recording Studio, a commercial multitrack production business he co-founded and operated for over six years in Cheshire.

John was known for his remarkably dry sense of humor, ability to fix anything, and love of music, particularly his keen ear and talent in the recording studio. A gifted musician, John was the longtime drummer for the Big Fat Combo, a classic rockabilly band that played throughout the area. With his fellow bandmates, John shared not just music, but brotherhood.

More than anything, John was a family man. Summers in Bonnet Shores in Narragansett, RI, were his happy place—days filled with grilling, crabbing on the jetty, building sandcastles, boogie boarding, listening to music on the beach, and evenings toasting the sunset with those he loved most. He particularly enjoyed the annual tent campout in the family summer cottage yard with Liz’s childhood friends and their children. These simple moments were John’s true measure of happiness.

Arrangements – A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 9th at 11:30AM at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 59 Main Street, Cheshire, CT, followed by a Celebration of Life at 1:00PM at Counter Weight Brewing Co. in Cheshire. The Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire is assisting with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in honor of John’s life and legacy to Wallingford Wolverines or The Sisters’ Project.

Wallingford Wolverines is a competitive travel basketball league for Wallingford boys and girls. For the past few years, John greatly enjoyed using his talents to record games and cheer on Caroline from the stands. To make donations to Wallingford Wolverines, please visit their website at www.wallingfordwolverines.com.

The Sisters’ Project is a charitable organization dedicated to raising funds for cancer patients and their families. They focus on local community initiatives, including support for the Wallingford YMCA cancer recovery program and scholarships for local high school seniors. To make donations to The Sisters’ Project, please visit their website at www.thesistersproject.org.