Staples Soccer Mourns Billy Murphy ’85
Billy Murphy — a goalkeeper on Staples High School’s 1984 team — died this week in Boston, from complications of bowel surgery.
After playing for coach Jeff Lea, Bill headed to Keene State College. He had a wide circle of friends, including many in the Alpha Pi Tau fraternity with whom he retained lifelong ties. He held various positions in the house, but the most fitting for his personality — and his favorite — was social chairman.
After graduating in 1989, Bill returned to Westport to assist his ailing father. Bill then moved to Boston, where he joined a business that enabled him to help others: mortgage lending. He worked for various organizations and banks, including PMI Mortgage Insurance, Countrywide, GE and Bank of America.
In recent years Bill turned his passion for cars into a career. A self-taught mechanic, he applied his business experience to help grow several auto shops in the Boston area.
Bill found a soulmate in Renee Villane Ulcickas. They dated during college, then magically found each other again 6 years ago. They had a deep, unconditional love for each other.
Bill’s many friends recall his huge, legendary, infectious and unforgettable personality. His sense of humor was unmatched. He loved being with family, friends and his beloved Renee. He was a superb storyteller, the life of any gathering. He used his gift of Blarney well, both in his career and personally to build a vast network of deep friendships. They extended from Westport to Boston, and well beyond.
Bill loved Boston sports, especially the Red Sox and Patriots. He also loved Fenway Park and the North End.
But he was also very proud to be from Westport, and maintained many of those early friendships through the decades.
His hobbies included working on classic cars, skiing and golf. He had a passion for animals, and worked with a variety of animal rescue groups.
Bill is survived by his sisters Kate (Huck) and Gail (Joe). He loved them, and his niece Izzy Botko and nephew Murphy Botko, dearly. He always enjoyed family gatherings on the Cape, upstate New York, or anywhere else he could reunite with them and his 50-plus cousins. He was proud to be a Murphy. Bill was predeceased by his father Bill Sr., and mother Carmeline.
Contributions in Bill’s name can be made to labs4rescue.com and LuvUsMutts.com.
