Michael Gavin Murphy

Kensington - Michael Gavin Murphy, age 69, of Kensington, passed away early Saturday morning, July 8, 2023, at the High Pointe House in Haverhill, MA. He was the beloved husband of Melanie (Windemiller) Murphy. Born on January 12, 1954, in Endicott NY, Michael was the son of the late James J. and Chere (Titus) Murphy. Raised and educated in Tolland, CT and Somerville, MA, Michael attended Somerville and Satya Community High Schools, graduating in 1972. In his early years, Mike worked on campaigns opposing American involvement and the use of controversial weapons in the Vietnam War. He was one of the original alternative newspaper hawkers in Boston for The Boston Phoenix, Boston After Dark, and The Real Paper. Throughout his life he maintained this strong commitment to the righting of social, economic, and political injustices where he saw them: civil rights, women’s rights, and animal and child welfare. His strong political beliefs arose from the need to make the world a better place. He believed in the quote: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men should do nothing.” Mike enjoyed golfing, landscaping to support wildlife, music of many generations, and a life-long thirst for knowledge covering many topics, from history, geography, science and politics to anthropology, social sciences and nature. He loved sharing his insights with others so that important knowledge would be passed on. Whatever Mike endeavored; he always strove for excellence. He once worked for a tennis racket company where he was personally called on to make a racket for Billie Jean King as he was considered the best at it. He later worked at and retired from Lucent Technologies where his expertise in bay assembly and contributions to process and quality improvement were highly regarded as above and beyond expectations. How a person lives his life is much more an indication of who they are than their job title. What Mike desired and worked for in life speaks volumes about the quality of who he was as a person. He was passionate in his love of nature to his quest for knowledge and understanding. He lived a life pursuing things that would improve our lives in the world. Forefront in those pursuits is his caring of people and therefore justice to set things right and protect the average person from the manipulation of the powerful. When he saw change was needed to provide that protection he would step in and do something to help even when his actions might bring backlash on himself. Mike lived his life always looking out for others and desiring things to be fair. Mike loved his family and his wife Melanie; he was always faithful in wanting to care for and protect those close to them. He and Melanie married in 1993 in Hampton NH. They remained in New Hampshire, building a home which would be their lifetime oasis. In addition to his wife, Michael is survived by siblings, Thomas Murphy and his wife Karla of Maynard, MA, Patrick Murphy and his wife Lori of Southborough, MA, and Daniel Murphy of North Andover, MA. Michael was predeceased by his parents. He will be missed by his life-long friends Anita Constantine-Gay and Barbara Smith. Michael's memorial will be held privately and he will be laid to rest at High Street Cemetery in Hampton. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Michael’s memory to: The Malala fund (www.malala.org) or High Point House Mike wanted it known that he raged against the dying of the light as long as he could.

Michael Gavin Murphy

January 12, 1954 - July 8, 2023