Harry (Morphis) Murphy

Charming, compassionate, loving husband and father, grandfather and lifelong friend.

Born February 3, 1930, in Midvale, Utah, Harry was the sixth and youngest child of Greek immigrant parents, Peter (Morphis) Murphy and Joan Demas. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, with the exception of his sister, Jenine Spyrs, who resides in Los Alamitos, CA.

Harry attended East High School and the University of Utah. He fell in love with Carolyn Revell and married her on June 30, 1955, in Evanston, WY, where they romantically eloped. Soon after their marriage, the young couple moved to San Francisco and started a family.

Harry was born with a creative mind and he thrived on artistic expression. Even as a young child, he had the natural ability to draw and paint. He was an artist in every respect. He immersed himself and his family in all the fine arts, and regularly attended the opera, theatre, symphony, art galleries and ballet. He had an immense love and appreciation for all forms of music and passed on this legacy to his three children, each of whom developed and excelled in their own musical pursuits. Harry had a unique worldview and found much solace in reading, philosophy and his artwork. He had a remarkable ability to see through individuals and beneath surfaces, and he sought ways to understand and empathize with others.

Harry pursued a career in advertising and art direction, utilizing his artistic talents to their full extent. Through the years, he became an antique dealer and fine art appraiser, and established his own antique shops in the Bay Area as well as in Utah.

Returning to Utah in the 1970s, Harry continued to run his local antique business. He was also the Art Director at Promised Valley Playhouse where he ran many seasons of musical theatre and drama productions. From an early age, Harry enjoyed acting. While attending the University of Utah, he had the delight of performing in Macbeth with Orson Welles. During his later years, he was an actor with The McCarty Talent Agency where he enjoyed the opportunity to play various roles in several commercials and local films.

Harry was passionate about his family and deeply involved in his children's education, as well as their musical and intellectual development. Family always came first, and he was known to drop any other commitment without hesitation if his family needed him. He had a diverse circle of close friends, all of whom loved him dearly. He had an uncanny ability to communicate with others and a brutal honesty that didn't always set well with everyone.

Harry leaves behind his lifelong love, Carolyn, with whom he shared a rich and dynamic life journey. He was the father of three loving children to whom he was utterly devoted - David Murphy (Holly Peterson) of Salt Lake City, Dr. Diana Murphy (Steve Rotterdam) of New York City, and Stephen Morphis (Cercee Kaelin) of Herriman. He was Papou ("Poppi") to six treasured grandchildren - David Murphy (Jessica Crockett), Amanda Murphy (Tyler Banks), Natasha Rotterdam, Aleksandra Rotterdam, Kaelin Morphis and Seveya Morphis.

The family would like to thank the medical staff at the University Hospital MICU/CCU and Harry's personal physician, Dr. Mark Lewis, all of whom provided him with excellent care and extraordinary compassion.

Harry's life will be celebrated among close friends and family at a private memorial service in mid-April. Arrangements under the care of Holbrook Mortuary.

Online condolences may be sent to: harrymurphy1930@yahoo.com