Obituary of Daniel D. Murphy

he trout that reside in Canada's Crow Lake are resting easier tonight. Their long-time nemesis, Daniel David Murphy, has passed. Dan died peacefully on October 13, 2018 in Duluth.

Dan had a fulfilling and interesting life. He was blessed with his loving partner of 45 years, Mary Lou and a host of family and friends whose lives he enriched.

Dan was born on June 3, 1933 in Minneapolis. His Depression-era early years were a struggle for his parents. He found stability when he entered the orphanage at St. John's Parish at age 10. He worked in the fields during the summer and helped with the "25 cows and 900 chickens." He served daily mass before attending classes.

At age 14, he moved with his father into a room at the Hill Hotel, with a bathroom, he liked to recall, "down the hall." Dan was the smallest boy in the class, yet he played basketball at Cathedral High School, from which he graduated in 1951. He then worked for Erie Mining in Aurora, Minnesota, where he surveyed and built the railroad between Taconite Harbor and Aurora, and "steamed ore" in Silver Bay. He used the money he earned to attend the University of Minnesota, Duluth. He majored in Mathematics and Chemistry, graduating in 1958. Later, he earned an Engineering Certification while employed by the City of Duluth and became Duluth's Traffic Engineer until he retired in 1991. He took great pride in never taking a sick day in all of his 32.5 years of employment.

In addition to his family, Dan was passionate about the environment. He was a charter member of the Save Lake Superior Association. He was regarded as a trout fishing expert. He kept his mind sharp by researching cars, playing cards and watching nature programs. Dan was always upbeat about life, never expressing bitterness about his challenging early years. He was a true fighter silently enduring the many, painful cancer treatments. He and Mary Lou proved that the notion of "soul mates" can really be true. Mary Lou's devotion to Dan has been an inspiration to the whole family. Dan Murphy did a lot of good, and he will be sorely missed.

A special thank you to Dr. Silva and the St Luke's Oncology Department. Thank you also to the entire staff at Solvay Hospice House for providing Dan with exceptional care in his final days.

Preceding him in death were his two brothers Harry and Michael.

In addition to his loving wife, Mary Lou, Dan is survived by his five children - Maureen Murphy (Bruce Meese), Kathleen Murphy (Norman Rickeman), Daniel Murphy, Wayne Gressman and Warren Gressman. He is also survived by four grandchildren - Kelly Murphy Severson, Alana Meese, Abigail Rickeman and Elizabeth Rickeman - and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held 11 AM, Monday October 29 at St John's Church, 3 W. Chisholm Street, Duluth with visitation one-hour prior. Memorials may be sent to the Sarcoma Foundation of America, 9899 Main Street, Suite 204 Damascus, MD 20872.