Richard D. Murphy

Richard Murphy Obituary 

Richard D. Murphy, age 86, of Trumbull, CT, passed peacefully into the arms of the Lord on April 8, 2026 at home, surrounded by his loving family following a brief illness.     

Richard, who went by the nickname Dick, was born October 6,  1939, to his mother, Marietta Hanis Haviland and his father, Thomas Aloysius Murphy in Port Chester, New York, the youngest  of two children. 

After high school, he joined the Marine Corps Reserves while  attending the University of Bridgeport to obtain his Bachelor of  Science degree in Electrical Engineering. It was during this time, he met his partner, best friend and lifelong love, Elizabeth B. Mulholland, of Greenock, Scotland who had immigrated to the  United States at the age of 19. The two were married on September 2, 1961 and celebrated 60 years of marriage prior to  Elizabeth’s passing in 2021. 

Dick began his career briefly with Douglas Aircraft in Los Angeles  before relocating back to Connecticut, joining Sikorsky Aircraft  where he spent his entire 35 year career. Starting as an engineer in  the discipline of Flight Control Systems, he continued his technical  development and obtained a Master of Science degree in  Engineering from the University of Connecticut. Dick was eventually  selected for management positions, including as Control Systems Section Head, Software Engineering Manager, Director of Avionics and eventually ascending to Vice President of Engineering.  Dick’s exceptional engineering talents were recognized throughout  Sikorsky and the industry, ultimately resulting in 14 U.S. patents. His designs remain in use today on military helicopters  flying throughout the world. Though he was ultimately coaxed into  executive management, Dick’s passion always remained in the 

technical engineering disciplines. Nonetheless, he was recognized  for his leadership qualities often being described by those within his  organization as a great man and a great leader. Sikorsky recognized this fact and ultimately appointed him to the executive committee reporting to the President of the Company. 

In addition to both his parents, Dick was predeceased by his wife  Elizabeth, and his brother-in-law George Mulholland and sister in-law Mary Mulholland Cootes. He is survived by his brother  Thomas Murphy and wife Marlyn of Port St. Lucie, FL as well as his  devoted children, James D. Murphy and his wife Karen of Shelton, CT, Douglas R. Murphy of Siesta Key, FL, Karen E. Gibson and her husband Stephen of Stratford, CT and Glen R. Murphy of Trumbull, CT. In addition, he is survived by his cherished grandchildren, Connor Murphy, Autumn Murphy, Lauren Murphy and Gage Murphy. He will be dearly missed and forever in his family’s hearts.   

Richard was a longtime parishioner of St. Catherine of Siena where he regularly attended mass for over 40 years. Friends and  family are invited to attend his funeral mass on Wednesday at  9:15 a.m. at Cyril F. Mullins Funeral Home, 399 White Plains Rd., Trumbull, CT and at 10 a.m. at St Catherine of Siena Church, 220 Shelton Rd, Trumbull, CT. (To view via livestream please visit stcathtrumbull.com) Entombment to follow at Gate of  Heaven Mausoleum. 

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 from  4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Cyril F. Mullins Funeral Home, 399 White Plains Rd., Trumbull, CT 06611. 

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations in Richard’s memory be made to the American Heart Association  (www.heart.org) or the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org).

For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit mullinsfh.com.

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