Robert F. Murphy

Robert F. “Bob” Murphy, 75 of Bonita Springs died peacefully on June 27, 2016 after a courageous battle from lung and brain cancer. He was born on May 7, 1941 in Providence, RI son of the late Robert G. and Adeline Murphy Goodwin. He is survived by his loving wife Carolyn DeRobbio Murphy. Also his two sisters, Nancy Forte and Lynda Ryan and brother Thomas Murphy. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews, Cousin Greg Klimaski and many loving and devoted friends. Bob graduated from Bryant College in Rhode Island and Assumption College in Massachusetts. He was a very proud Marine, joining in 1959 as PFC and ending in 1965 as a Sergeant. He loved being a specialist on a Sikorsky H34 helicopter. Not only did he service them, he served as a Crew member and then qualified to be Crew Chief. In 1964 he reached Sergeant and left that career in 1965. Bob went to work for Leesona Corporation in Rhode Island and then Cumberland Engineering in Massachusetts. He started as a tool maker, continued his education nights to become an Engineer and when he ended his career he was Manager of Manufacturing Engineering and Facilities. During his spare time he was an avid photographer and worked with Master Photographer Frank De Luca of Johnston and Newport Rhode Island for 12 years. During down time he liked gardening – all hours, day or night by flood lights. Then he found a new love in Lilium AKA the “true lily”. He became a hybridizer, an International Show Judge, grew over 2000 stems of various types of Lily and traveled all over the U.S. and Canada to enter his lilies or judge shows. Our gardens were beautiful! We both enjoyed our free time boating in Massachusetts and Rhode Island and belonging to Mass Horticultural Society, New England Lily Society Tower Hill Gardens. In his retirement we enjoyed our move to Bonita Springs and loved our life, friends and neighbors in Bonita Bay Club. A Memorial Celebration Mass will be held at St. Leo The Great Catholic Church on July 29 at 11:30 A.M. Join us to celebrate a life lived happily and complete in our part of paradise. In lieu of flowers, Carolyn asks that you please contribute to a memorial fund in Bob’s name at Joanne’s House at Hope Hospice, 27200 Imperial Parkway, Bonita Springs, FL 34135. They took extraordinary care of him in the last weeks of his life. Online condolences may be left by visiting www.ShikanyFuneralHome.com Arrangements are being handled by Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home.

Robert F. Murphy

May 7, 1941 - June 27, 2016