Deacon Michael Edmond Murphy ’80 died June 11, 2015, in a hiking accident in the Mount Shasta region of California. He is survived by his wife, Natalie Murphy ’80, MBA ’01, and their son, Patrick; his mother Patricia Lautze, and his brothers Martin Murphy (Cheryl) and Daniel Murphy (Jenn).

Michael was born in San Francisco in 1958 to Patrick and Patricia Murphy. He grew up in San Carlos, attended St. Charles School and graduated from St. Francis High School in Mountain View. He graduated from Santa Clara University in 1980 with a major in history. While at Santa Clara, Mike joined the Army ROTC program, and it was in this program that he met his future wife, Natalie Eblacas. Upon graduation, Mike was commissioned in the Army as a second lieutenant. 

Mike and Natalie were married while both were in the military, and their son, Patrick, was born in 1988. Michael Murphy studied for and received his Teaching Credential while they were stationed in Texas. They spent three years on the East Coast, with Natalie teaching at West Point. Michael taught at Valley Central Middle School in Montgomery, N.Y. After two years of teaching, he returned to graduate school and earned a master’s degree in religious studies. Once Natalie’s assignment at West Point was completed, they returned to San Carlos.

Upon their return to the Bay Area in 1992, Mike went to work at Sacred Heart Schools in Atherton, teaching both math and religion. He also coached both boys and girls athletics teams. Michael was ordained to the diaconate by Bishop John Wester on June 25, 2006. Since that time he, and Natalie, have served at their Parish, St. Charles in San Carlos. Mike also wrote many inspiring and thought-provoking "Scriptural Reflections" for the SF Catholic.