Joseph D. Murphy, 79, of North Berwick, ME passed away on April 12, 2022.
Born in Manchester, NH on March 24, 1943, he was the son of Edward and Wanda Murphy. He graduated from Bishop Bradley High School in Manchester. After high school he studied at St Mary's College in Nova Scotia.
He had a long career in customer service, working most recently in Financial Aid at the University of New Hampshire until his retirement.
Joseph was passionate about community service. For over forty years, he was a leader in the LGBTQ+ community in Maine and New Hampshire. He was a founder, board member, and president emeritus of Seacoast Gay Men, a social group for gay men. He was also a founder of Gay Men Together of Maine. He served as an AIDS educator at AIDS Response Seacoast and volunteered with with Gay Men Fight AIDS. He was an active supporter and fundraiser for the Matthew Shepherd Foundation and Harbor to the Bay, a benefit bike ride supporting AIDS Action Committee.
Joseph also prized his sobriety and was active in the recovery community for 37 years.
Family members include his son, Eric Murphy and Timothy Wu of San Francisco; daughter, Stephanie Steele and Ron of Canterbury; grandchildren, Cristopher Buxton, Jakob Steele, Ryan Steele, Ronnie Steele, and Ashley Steele; one great-granddaughter, Allieanna Steele; one sister, Judith Machos of Manchester; many nephews, nieces and cousins.
He was predeceased by his siblings, Edward Murphy, Donald Murphy, Maureen Kolenski and Janice Paquette.
Per his request, the funeral service and burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bedford will be private at the family's convenience. A celebration of life will be hosted by his seacoast friends at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Matthew Shepard Foundation (https://www.matthewshepard.org/contribute/ways-to-give/); AIDS Response Seacoast (https://aidsresponse.org/giving); or Seacoast Outright
(https://www.seacoastoutright.org/donate).
Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, Manchester, is assisting with arrangements. To send an online message of condolence, please go to www.lambertfuneralhome.com.