Jerome J. "Jerry" Murphy
Jerry passed peacefully at home in Menomonee Falls on Thurs., Feb. 11, 2021, at the age of 81. Devoted husband of the love of his life, Cecile "CiCi" (nee Aukofer) Murphy for 59 years. Cherished dad of Kathleen Murphy Willer, Jerome E. (Cathy) Murphy, Michael (Kim) Murphy, Maureen (Michael) Chobanoff. Proud grandpa of Justin (Kyla) Murphy, Brandon Murphy, Emlyn (Kevin) Dornemann Vang, Madelyn Murphy, Joshua Willer, Genevieve Dornemann, Jerome R. Murphy, Benjamin Willer, Nicholas Murphy, Rachel Murphy, Nathan Willer, and Grace Willer. Great grandpa of Brooklyn Willer. Jerry is further survived by other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Cecelia Murphy and three siblings.
Jerry was a proud United States Air Force Veteran, serving 8 years. He received the Air Force Commendation Medal as an A/2C. He sold real estate and managed real estate offices for decades. Jerry and CiCi raised their four children in Milwaukee, giving them a happy childhood filled with memories of neighborhood parties, usually at the Murphy house. They took countless camping trips in Wisconsin and one big memorable trip to Colorado with two other families, a fun caravan of 17 people and three pop-up campers. Always curious, CiCi and Jerry loved to travel. Mexico, Ireland, The Panama Canal, and cross-county train trips, filled with nature and history, were among their favorites. Vegas was a frequent trip and Jerry and CiCi’s children and their spouses joined them for the last one; they can still see him sitting at the old slot machines, Budweiser in hand.
Jerry’s true gift was making everyone in the room feel welcomed and good. A big smile and a bear hug and a corny joke greeted everyone at all gatherings. He humbly entertained everyone often at the piano, playing old school country music by ear, loud and happy, as the grandkids danced. He taught each young grandchild how to spell “milk.” “B, E, E, R” was their response. Bank tellers and strangers on elevators were left with a joke and a smile too – he just could not help himself. This gentle giant of a man with the snowy white hair spread humor and acceptance wherever he went, and he will be greatly missed by many.
A visitation will be held on Wed., Feb. 24, from 11:00 until 1:30. “Open Mic” is from 1:30 until 2:00, and anyone who would to like may take a brief moment to share a memory about Jerry. Funeral Mass begins at 2:00. All of this will be at St. James Catholic Church, W220 N6588 Townline Rd. Menomonee Falls. A summer party will be held in place of a reception. In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated, in Jerry's name, to Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) Via Mail: Cure HHT, PO Box 329, Monkton, MD 21111 or www.HHT.org.