Joseph Chester "Chet" Murphy

Joseph Chester "Chet" Murphy passed away unexpectedly at his home March 21, 2018. Chet was born in Sharon, CT, on October 22, 1936, to William P. Murphy and Mary Maroney Murphy. He was predeceased by brothers James and William Murphy. He graduated from Webutuck High School in 1955. While in school, he played Seven Man Football; was active in Mixed Chorus, Green Lantern, Student Council Play, and Yearbook; was voted "Best Looking Boy"; and was Prom King. After graduation, he worked on his family dairy farm in Dutchess County, Amenia, NY. In 1964, he bought his own dairy farm, which he operated until 1985. He was a member of The Immaculate Conception Church in Amenia; Elizabeth Ann Seton in Tucson, AZ; and Mary Magdalene in SC. He married Sandra "Sandy" Almstead Murphy on July 13, 1968. He served as Assistant Chief of the Amenia Fire Company and drove the ambulance on calls day or night. In 1985, Chet sold his farm and moved his wife and three daughters to Penn Laird, Virginia. He continued to share his farming knowledge with local farmers, and he owned and operated a weekly TV magazine with his wife. In 1993, Chet and Sandy and their youngest daughter Kelly moved to Tucson, AZ. Chet owned an airport shuttle business called "The Stage Coach" and a courier service. In 2003, Chet sold his business in AZ, and Chet, Sandy, and Kelly moved to Greenville, SC. He enjoyed his retirement. He loved to talk to people, whether his friends on the phone, neighbors, or complete strangers. He made friends in every state he lived and enjoyed most keeping in touch. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sandra Almstead Murphy, and three daughters, Jill Murphy Spackman of Maurertown, VA; Lili Ann Simonetti of Weyers Cave, VA; and Kelly Murphy of Simpsonville, SC; and his sisters Catherine Murphy of Amenia, NY; Mary Margaret Adamitis in MD, and Veronica Rosen of Poughkeepsie, NY; and his nine grandchildren.