Kenneth John Murphy (January 25, 1949 - July 9, 2023)

Dr. Kenneth John Murphy, beloved father, husband, and grandfather, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on July 9, 2023, at Maine Medical Center.

Ken was born on January 25, 1949, in Hanover, New Hampshire to parents, William and Genevieve Murphy. Ken attended Plymouth State College, where he graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree and a Masters in Education, and he later received a Doctorate in Education from the University of Maine.

Ken dedicated his life to education, spending 40 years growing, shaping, and reimagining public education. He began his career as a science teacher in West Canaan, New Hampshire, and quickly expanded his influence as he moved to become an Assistant Principal, Principal, and Assistant Superintendent across schools in southern Maine. Eventually, he landed the role of Superintendent at the Yarmouth School district, a position he held from 1991 until 2009. Throughout his leadership roles, however, he never lost sight of his love for teaching, as he continued to educate others as an Adjunct Professor at the College of Education at the University of Southern Maine.

For the majority of Ken's life, he called Cousins Island in Yarmouth, Maine, his home where he and his wife, Lois Funderburk Murphy (1955-2008) raised their son, Tim Murphy, and Ken's daughter, McKenzie McNelis. For 24 years, Ken and Lois shared a beautiful life creating memories from holidays spent at Sugarloaf to traveling and simply being with their family.

After retiring from working for the Yarmouth School District in 2009, Ken embarked on a new chapter of life alongside his wife, Paulette Lorusso Kennedy. Together, they embraced every opportunity to live life to the fullest, finding delight in exploring the latest restaurants, reveling in live music performances, visiting their grandchildren, and embarking on travels across the country and world. Splitting their time between the scenic summers of Cousins Island in Yarmouth and the sunny winters in Winter Park, Florida, they created a tapestry of memories.

While Ken is remembered for his extraordinary leadership in the Yarmouth School system, his family will remember him for all of the small things that made him unique. A lifelong learner, Ken was an avid reader, always engrossed in the latest headlines. Ken had an unwavering passion for New England sports teams, particularly the Patriots and the Red Sox. When he wasn't reading or cheering on one of his teams, he delighted in golfing, taking walks, and discovering yoga, a practice he shared with Paulette. Ken had a weakness for Scratch bagels and chocolate chip cookies. He loved watching his grandchildren play baseball. Ken rarely was ever "winging it" as his meticulous nature shone through in his passion for planning every detail of a trip, ensuring every experience was memorable. And who could forget his affinity for Vans shoes: he wore a distinctive pair each day of the week.

But what Ken loved more than anything was the role he played of dad to his children, and later grandfather to his grandchildren, Chaz, Jet, Mazzie, Poppy, and Finn. Ken is survived by his wife, Paulette Lorusso Kennedy, his daughter McKenzie McNelis, his son Tim and his wife Hannah Murphy, and his sister, Diane Murphy.  Ken was predeceased by his sister Beverly, brother Bill, and his wife Lois Murphy.

A memorial service will be held for Ken on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 11am at First Parish Church in Yarmouth with a reception to follow at Maine Beer Company at 12:45pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ken's name to the American Lung Association.

For more on Ken's impact on the Yarmouth School system, see: Portland Phoenix by Edgar Allen Beem, July 12th.