George E. Murphy

MADISON- George Earl Murphy, age 83, of Madison, passed away after a long illness on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011, at UW Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Two Rivers, on Feb. 18, 1928, to Frank and Elva Murphy. George attended West Allis Central. At age 16, the Chicago Cubs signed him to play baseball after graduation. George later played for the farm teams of the White Sox and Indians until drafted by the U.S. Army in 1950. He represented the Armys Eighth Infantry Special Services in Europe where he played baseball and basketball completing successfully in the European World Series in both sports. George married Harriet Amundson in 1955. They moved to Madison in 1958 to establish City Wide Insulation for his brother, Bob. He started with one man and one truck. The business he began more than 50 years ago continues to expand and is now led by three of his sons. As the business grew, so did the family. George and Harriet raised five beautiful children. Their sons enjoyed playing baseball and since there was no little league baseball in Madison, George started an East Madison Little League that endures today as part of the East Madison YMCA. George was a member of Maple Bluff, and also enjoyed golfing with his friends and his brothers at many courses in Wisconsin and Florida. Georges friends included strong ties in both Madison and Milwaukee. They shared many lifelong memories of travels, laughter and tears. A Milwaukee group of close friends golfed together and spent Spring break in Florida for many years, sometimes with almost too many children to count. Several good family friends from Madison came along and those experiences have provided many laughs for years. George has two special Army buddies who remain in close contact. He is survived by his loving wife, Harriet; and his children, Mark (Jean), Don (Lori), Brian (Jackie), John (Carrie) and Colleen (Jim) Martine. The 16 grandchildren were Georges pride and joy. They are Kelsey, Shannon and Kale (Mark), Riley, Rogan, Braydon (Don), Caitlin, Michael and Sara (Brian), Keenan, Bailey, Corban and Cavanagh (John), and Meghan, Jimmy and Steven (Colleen). He also leaves behind his sister, Doris; and many nieces and nephews. George was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, James and Robert Murphy. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 1, 2011. A Christian burial will immediately follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 28, 2011. Memorials may be made to St. Dennis Parish. A special thank you to Dr. Schwarze at UW Hospital and to the UW TLC nursing staff. Your compassion eased Georges passing. Memorials: Memorials may be made to St. Dennis Parish. Cemetery: A Christian burial will immediately follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation: Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 28, 2011. Service: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 1, 2011.