Cyril (Murf/Babe) Murphy
Cyril F. Murphy (Murf/Babe) was born in Waukon to Cyril V. and Irene (Jochum) Murphy January 27, 1931 and died in Edina, MN December 11, 2023. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 30 at 11 a.m. with visitation one hour before at St. Edward’s Catholic Church, 5800 West 94th Street, Bloomington, MN.
Burial prayer services and full military honors will be held Sunday, December 31 at 2 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at 648 Main Street, Lansing. Final interment will be at Gethsemane Cemetery, 1928 Main Street, Lansing. Lunch will be served after both the funeral and burial services.
Cyril was raised in Lansing with two older brothers, Robert and Daniel, and two younger sisters, Mary and Rosanne. He graduated from Immaculate Conception elementary and high schools, where he played basketball and baseball. It was playing these two sports where he made lifelong friends.
His baseball team was called the Lansing Mudcats and he enjoyed telling stories about games that included the ‘suicide squeeze’, line drives and double plays where he played at first base. He graduated from Loras College in Dubuque with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. He then obtained a Masters degree in Social Work from St. Patrick’s College of the University of Ottawa, Canada.
Murf/Babe joined the military, following in his brothers’ footsteps. He was a member of the U.S. Navy, stationed in Alameda, CA at the Naval Air Station there. He was sent abroad to Kwajalein Island in the Marshall Islands for two years, serving as a flight hydraulic specialist. His rank at discharge was Petty Officer 3rd Class. Twelve years later he joined the Army Reserves where he served as Captain for three years.
According to his wife, Shirley (Peach), the best decision he ever made was getting married to her September 3, 1955. To that marriage five daughters were born: Mary Jo, Jean, Paula, Jill and Barbara. They were married for 67-1/2 years, and enjoyed many happy times raising children, spending time with friends, developing the perfect manhattan, and traveling.
Murf’s/Babe’s professional career focused on serving the needs of children. After his graduation from St. Patrick’s College, he began working for Catholic Charities in Marshfield, WI. His position there was Supervisor of Children’s Services, which included placing children and babies for adoption. He then moved to Eau Claire, WI where he worked for the State of Wisconsin as a Staff Development Supervisor in the Family and Children’s Division. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to Department Director, which involved moving to La Crosse, WI.
He then moved to the private sector and started Wyalusing Academy in Prairie du Chien, WI. Wyalusing was a residential treatment center serving inpatient adolescents with psychiatric problems. While at Wyalusing, he started an identical program in Eau Claire, WI, called Eau Claire Academy. After eight years in Prairie du Chien, Murf/Babe transferred to Winona, MN to start a similar program there.
Murf’s final position was that as an Executive Director of Gilfillan Center in Bemidji, MN for 14 years. Gilfillan was also a residential treatment center serving inpatient adolescents. Murf expanded the program to include additional states, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Iowa.
He achieved his pilot’s license and enjoyed flying a Cessna 414, which was used to transport children and their caretakers over many miles. He also successfully developed relationships with three Native American Tribes, whose children benefited from the treatment programs at Gilfillan. Murf/Babe received an award from the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indian Tribe, in recognition of his service to Native American children. He also received the Gisela Knopka Award, and Governor Arne Carlson declared March 4, 1993 as ‘Cyril Murphy Day’ in the state of Minnesota.
Murf/Babe was also committed to the communities where he lived. He participated in capital campaigns for Boys and Girls Clubs, served on the board of directors for a local hospital, and was a long-time member of Rotary Clubs. He was an active member in the Catholic churches where he belonged in the various cities where he lived, serving as Eucharistic Minister, lector and usher.
Murf/Babe is survived by his five daughters: Mary Jo (Shawn) Werner, Jean Nielsen, Paula (Dave) Anderson, Jill (Clark) Norgaard and Barbara Castagna; 11 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren (including one on the way!); his sister, Rosanne Murphy; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley (Peach); his brothers, Robert and Daniel; one sister, Mary Kelleher, one sister-in-law, Anne Murphy; and one son-in-law, Steven Castagna.
Dad loved kids and enjoyed being with and helping people. He was a very holy man and often attended daily Mass when he could. He had a positive attitude and was kind. We will miss Mom and him very much. Thank you to all who have helped Dad in his journey.
