Mr. John P. Murphy

John P. Murphy, 46, died peacefully at home on August 11, 2025. He was the son of Lucy N. Murphy and the late James J. Murphy. Born and raised in Virgil, New York, John spent his youth on the baseball diamond, playing summer ball with a Youth Bureau team. He attended St. Mary’s School, where he faithfully served as an altar server, and graduated in 1997 from Cortland Junior-Senior High School. He went on to study Environmental Science at Paul Smith’s College and Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3). Over the years, John worked in many roles at Greek Peak, fondly recalling his time leading the parking lot crew and grooming trails. A true fixture on the slopes, he was an avid snowboarder in winter and mountain biker in warmer months, fully embracing the mountain lifestyle year-round. He also enjoyed NASCAR races and deer hunting. To his nieces and nephews, he was the beloved, fun-loving “Uncle Johnny.” To his friends—and their children—he was “Murphy,” a mentor, encourager, storyteller, and source of laughter. John’s legendary treehouse was a gathering place for countless memories, until it was lost in the June 2024 storm that also caused the injuries he took in stride—joking afterward that he now had “more titanium in my face than on my bike.” John is survived by his devoted mother, Lucy; his brother and brother-in-law, James W. Murphy & Kason Temple; his sisters and brothers-in-law Jeanne-Marie & Tom Kavanagh, Colleen & John Brady, Laura & Jeff Malczon, and Allison & Sean Cryan; five nephews—Kevin (Kseniya), Brian, Martin, Colin, and Keegan; three nieces—Casey, Seana, and Abigayle; one grand-niece, Katerina; and one grand-nephew, Kian. He also leaves behind many aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends who will forever cherish his adventurous spirit, quick wit, and generous heart. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, August 25, 2025, at 11 a.m. in St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church. The Christian Rite of Committal and Burial will follow in Virgil Cemetery. The family will be present to receive friends on Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., before mass in the Chapel of Riccardi Funeral Home, 69 N. Main St., Cortland, N.Y. Instead of flowers, please consider donating to Breakthrough T1D. www.riccardifuneralhome.com

Mr. John P. Murphy

March 23, 1979 - August 11, 2025