Joseph Chester “Chet” Murphy formerly of Amenia – Joseph Chester “Chet” Murphy passed away unexpectedly at his home March 21, 2018. Chet was born in Sharon, CT on October 22, 1936, to William P. Murphy and Mary Maroney Murphy. He was predeceased by his parents and brothers John, James & William Murphy.
Chet graduated from Webutuck High School in 1955. While in school, he played Seven Man football, was active in Mixed Chorus, Green Lantern, Student Council Play and Yearbook—and was voted “Best Looking Boy” and was Prom King.
After graduation, Chet worked on his family’s dairy farm in Amenia. In 1964 he bought his own dairy farm nearby, which he operated until 1985. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Amenia; Elizabeth Ann Seton in Tucson, AZ: and Mary Magdalene in SC.
He married Sandra “Sandy” Almstead Murphy on July 13, 1968. He served as Assistant Chief of the Amenia Fire Company and drove the ambulance on calls day or night. In 1985, Chet sold his farm and moved his family to Penn Laird, VA. He continued to share his farming knowledge with local farmers, as well as owning and operating a weekly TV magazine with his wife.
In 1993, Chet and Sandy, with their youngest daughter Kelly moved to Tucson, AZ. He owned an airport shuttle business called “The Stage Coach” and a courier service. In 2003, sold that business and with Sandy and Kelly moved to Greenville, SC in retirement. Chet enjoyed retirement. He loved to talk with people—whether friends, neighbors, family or complete strangers. He enjoyed keeping in touch.
He is survived by Sandy, his wife of 50 years, his three daughters, Jill Murphy Spackman of Maurertown, VA; Lilli Ann Simonetti of Weyers Cave, VA and Kelly Murphy of Simpsonville, SC; and his sisters, Catherine Murphy of Amenia, NY; Mary Margaret Adamitis of MD; and Veronica M. Rosen of Poughkeepsie, NY and his nine grandchildren.
A Memorial Mass will be scheduled at a later date at the Immaculate Conception Church, Amenia.
