Terrence "Terry" J. Murphy

Terrence (Terry) J Murphy, 81, of Surprise, Arizona, passed away on Saturday May 31, 2025. Terry was born on August 21, 1943 in St. Paul, Minnesota where he grew up. He studied restaurant management at Michigan State University and became involved in the family restaurant business. From there he embarked on a varied career, including stints as a flight purser for Northwest Airlines, and a police officer in St. Paul Minnesota and Marin County, California. It was in California that he found his passion for helping people in selling real estate, becoming licensed in 1977. The last five years of his career were spent as the CEO of a large Association of Realtors group in Pasadena, California. Terry spent his whole life believing that helping others is one of the important privileges of being human. Throughout Terry’s diverse career, his caring for people became a common thread as he was continuously engaged in one or more volunteer assignments – which he always undertook with passion and commitment. While in California, he held leadership positions with the American Red Cross and United Way of the Bay area. In 2011, Terry made the move to Arizona, and became an active member of his church, St. Mary’s Basilica in Phoenix, where he served throughout the years on councils and committees. Upon his retirement in 2014, he settled into the vibrant community of Sun City Grand in Surprise. It didn’t take him long to begin volunteering within his new community, where his outstanding contributions landed him on the Board of Directors, serving as President in 2019-20. He also committed his time and talent to the national Community Associations Institute, where he was Arizona Chapter President in 2022. Terry’s greatest passion lay in working closely with individuals on a personal basis, including his work for the Surprise Fire/Medical Crisis Response Team where he provided support to families in their hours of need, the Safe Kids Program as a technician and instructor helping parents install car seats, and with the Dementia Friendly Surprise program, assisting people living with dementia and their care partners. Terry will be remembered as a supportive friend, a loving father and partner, and a gentle spirit to all who knew him. Terry is survived by his granddaughter Emily Sundsmo, his great grandsons, Carter and Dylan, and his life partner, Suzanne. Terry requests that any remembrance donations be sent to the Benevilla organization in Surprise, a non-profit that embodies Terry’s volunteer spirit and commitment to his community.

Terrence "Terry" J. Murphy

May 24, 2025