Meet our hero
The best way to know Nick today is to read his obituary, which was written by his brother, Grant Murphy, read the Peoria Journal Star Article about Nick, view the Facebook page of G. Edward Murphy that has hundreds of photographs of Nick's life and information about Nick, read the Patriot Guard Riders comments about Nick, and read the eulogy about Nick's life, which was delivered proudly by his other brother, Alec Murphy, at both the Navy Memorial in Pensacola, Florida and Nick's funeral in Peoria, Illinois.
Nick was truly a great son, brother, grandson, nephew, friend and sailor. Nick was also the "The Man in the Arena" and lived his life that way. We are proud to introduce you to him.
Here is a news post from May 4, 2017 about Nick. Pretty cool.
Nick's Obituary
by Grant Murphy
Nicholas James Murphy, 19, of Dunlap, IL, passed away the morning of Saturday, November 19, 2016, at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, Florida. Nick or "Murph," as people would call him, was serving in the United States Navy trying to attain his life-long dream of becoming a Navy SEAL. He was born in Peoria, Illinois, to G. Edward and Theresa Brodeur Murphy on May 17, 1997. He grew up in Peoria and Dunlap, where, like his older brothers, Grant and Alec Murphy, he fell in love with baseball and football. He played all types of sports and was always trying to beat his older brothers and playing up on the older teams. Even though Nick had the competitive spirit to always try to beat his brothers, he had a special soft spot and love for his younger sister, Delaney Murphy. He loved being her big brother more than anything in the world. You would often find him and Delaney eating Buffalo Wild Wings together and just hanging out being best friends.
Nick graduated from Dunlap High School in May of 2015. Nick played football and baseball throughout high school, the highlight being his junior year, where he made all conference in baseball and was the starting second baseman right next to his older brother, Alec, who was the starting shortstop. The two were unbelievable at turning double plays and Nick was known for having "the fastest hands in the Mid-Illini." You would often find his family and grandparents, George and Dolores Murphy, at every baseball game behind home plate, supporting Nick and getting on the umpires for any bad call.
There were not any two people who supported Nick's dreams and ambitions more than his parents, Ed and Theresa Murphy. You would often find Nick and his Dad lifting weights together to get Nick ready for his intense training in the Navy. Ed was also Nick's first baseball coach and taught him everything he knew on the diamond, from holding a glove to running around the bases. His mother, who Nick called "Madre" for fun, was the emotional outlet for Nick. She would give him love and support in anything he did. She would often keep Nick in line and tell him to "go clean his room," hoping that he could learn this lesson before joining the Navy. Nick's smile would light up the room and there was nothing more enjoyable for his Mom and all those who knew him to see everyday.
Not only did Ed and Theresa love and support him, his siblings Grant, Alec and Delaney, were equally proud of everything he did and to say that their brother was in the Navy and working to become a Navy SEAL. Nick and his three siblings were always the best of friends and fully supported all that each of them did.
Nick joined the Navy in the hope of protecting his country and protecting the people in it. He had a heart of gold and this was shown in the last days of his life. A vehicle struck him and two friends and fellow sailors the morning of November 19, 2016. At the last second, he pushed his friend out of the way right before he was hit by the car. She is alive and will recover from her injuries. Everyone who knows Nick knew he cared about others more than himself. In addition, Nick has saved another 6 people through organ donation. All of his organs were donated and transplanted, and we were told that many of those transplant recipients would not have lived through the night without Nick's organs. Even in his death, he is a hero saving lives. Nick was a great son, brother, grandson, cousin, nephew and friend to all he came in contact with. We love you Nick and you will be dearly missed.
In Nick's honor and to make sure Nick is never forgotten, his family has created a scholarship that will go to a baseball player each year from Dunlap High School to help pay for his college expenses or to a baseball player that will be joining the Armed Forces. His parents, Ed and Theresa; and his siblings, Grant, Alec and Delaney Murphy, survive him. He is also survived by his paternal grandparents, George and Dolores Murphy; his maternal grandmother, Diana Brodeur, who he called "Meme;" as well as aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Jerry Brodeur; and his aunt, Debbie Brodeur.
To celebrate the life of Nick, there was a visitation service at St. Vincent de Paul Church on Friday, November 25, 2016, from 4 to 8 p.m., and on Saturday, November 26, 2016, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., prior to the funeral. The funeral was held at 10:30 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Church on Saturday. Nick had a full military burial on Monday, November 28, 2016, at 11 a.m. The Armed Forces Color Guard took Nick from the funeral home at Wright & Salmon Mortuary in a procession to the Rock Island National Cemetery.
