Gerald E. Murphy, 88, formerly of Burlington, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021.
Gerald was born in Burlington on April 11, 1933 to Lawrence E. and Evelyn (Weyrough) Murphy. He attended St. Mary’s Grade School and St. Mary’s High School, graduating in 1952.
The Murphys spent their summers on Browns Lake, which brought Jerry in contact with Liggett’s Resort. Jerry held various summer and part-time positions with Liggett’s throughout his high school years. In February of 1954, he accepted the position of Assistant Manager at the resort. This position would prepare him well for his future business ventures.
Following high school, Jerry attended the University of Wisconsin School of Business and upon completion of his college education, entered the United States Army. He served in Germany during from 1954 to 1956. After an honorable discharge from military service, he was employed at the National Cash Register Company in Dayton, Ohio. He worked in their Hotel and Restaurant Sales Division in Milwaukee, Wisconsin until 1960.
In 1960, Jerry purchased the Plush Horse Restaurant and Lounge in Burlington and operated that establishment until 1976. During his years in the restaurant business, he became a member of the Board of Directors of the Tavern League of Wisconsin (TLW). As a Director of the TLW, he served as their Director to the Board for the National Licensed Beverage Association (NLBA). He was elected President of NLBA in 1973 and 1974.
In 1976, Jerry sold The Plush Horse and moved to Washington D.C. to work full time for the NLBA. In 1979 he was appointed Executive Director of the Association and served in that capacity until 1992. He also served as the Chairman of the Board of the Beverage Retailers Insurance Company, and Secretary of the Sky Ranch Foundation.
Throughout his long leadership of NLBA, Jerry played a vital role in spreading and maintaining support for Sky Ranch among on premise licenses and their suppliers. NLBA’s nationwide efforts to raise money for Sky Ranch are among the most successful.
In 1993 Jerry moved to Lutz, Fla., where he and friend Harold Harrington, became business partners in Murphy’s Pub & Sports Bar and Murphy’s Liquor. By 2013, the partners sold the businesses and Jerry officially retired.
In addition to being a lifetime Green Bay Packer fan, Jerry was an avid golfer and at one time, a racehorse owner.
Jerry is survived by his children, Mary (James) Peyer, Susan Noble, Patricia (Corey) McLernon, Michele Noble, and Maureen (Jeff) Radtke; his sister Pat (John) McLimon; eleven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, Jim, Jack, Betty Vos, and infant Jean Murphy.
Jerry will be laid to rest at St. Charles Cemetery in Burlington. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sky Ranch Foundation. Donations can be sent to: Jill D’Amato, Bank of America, MSC NJ2 130 03 22, 1300 American Boulevard, Pennington, NJ 08534-1501. Make checks payable to: SKY RANCH FOUNDATION. You can also find the information on this link https://skyranchfoundation.org/contact/
Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home is serving the family. Well-wishers may visit www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com.
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