John Murphy, the founder of Brookfield-based marketing strategy and public relations firm Murphy Associates, died on Thursday, Dec. 12, his wife, Judi Murphy, the president and owner of the firm, announced.
Born in Michigan, John Murphy’s career included executive positions at Ford, Lincoln, Stran Steel, Xerox, Blackhawk Mfg. Co., and Rexnord.
He specialized in marketing, mergers and acquisitions, new product development, and company culture.
In addition to founding Murphy Associates, Murphy was a member of the Brookfield Chamber of Commerce for more than 25 years and a board member for the Elmbrook Humane Society and Metropolitan Speakers Group. He was also active in Sales & Marketing Executives, and West Allis, Wauwatosa, and Waukesha chambers.
Murphy also taught marketing classes at Marquette University, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Waukesha County Technical College.
Murphy enjoyed making furniture and also designed homes for his family in Boston and Brookfield, and remodeled the family home in Whitefish Bay.
Murphy donated his body to the Medical College of Wisconsin for research. At his request, there will be no funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in his memory to provide pro bono marketing services to fledgling entrepreneurs. Contributions may be sent to Judi Murphy and checks should have “Help Them Fly” written in the memo line.
