Obituary: Paul F. Dunphy

Paul Francis “Dunph” Dunphy Jr., passed away on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, after a courageous battle against cancer caused by exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. He was 77.

Mr. Dunphy was born in Neenah, Wis. on Sept. 28, 1945 and was a son of the late Paul Francis and Mary Frances V. (Mortell) Dunphy.

Mr. Dunphy is survived by his beloved wife, Linda D. “Linzie” (Bergin) Dunphy. He was the devoted father of Erin McDonald of Maynard, Susan Dunphy of Norwood, and Colleen Dunphy of Brockton. He was the loving grandfather of Matthew and Joseph McDonald, both of Maynard. Mr. Dunphy was the dear brother of Anne Corbett and her husband, Brian, of Wakefield, Kathy Connolly and her late husband, Edward, of Westwood, Mary “Poopsie” Adams and her husband, John, of Hull, Michael Dunphy and his wife, Janice, of Hull, Tommy Dunphy and his late wife, Mary, of Flanders, N.J. He is also survived by many adored nieces and nephews, cherished neighbors, and friends, especially Ed Burke.

Mr. Dunphy was a lifelong resident of Hampton Circle, and was named 2022 Hampton Circle Ambassador. He was a hockey-playing 1963 graduate of Archbishop Williams High School. He joined the Seabees and served in the Da Nang area of Vietnam. He followed his father and became an electrician for Cleverly and Dunphy. Mr. Dunphy loved his career and never “worked” a day in his life. He was the building supervisor for Stone and Webster and the electrical inspector for Harvard University. He was an avid member of the National Fire Protection Association and an expert in electrical code.

Mr. Dunphy was renowned for his service to the Town of Hull, where his commitment was always valued on the following boards: Jaycees, Park and Recreation, Hampton Circle Improvement, School Building Committee, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He also was assistant electrical inspector.

Most recently, Mr. Dunphy was named chair of the War Memorial Commission, where he was instrumental in procuring flags for Hull military killed in action and in the recent naming of General Butch Neal Way. He was a lifelong communicant of St. Mary’s Parish.

Mr. Dunphy valued family most of all! Nurse Linzie devoted the past five years, assuring the best quality of life possible during his illness. Daughters Erin and Susan valued his guidance as they pursued their educational careers. Daughter Colleen is a Hall of Famer because of Paul’s devoted batting practice pitching. Poppy had words of wisdom (and $20 for gas) when Matthew and Joseph visited. Mr. Dunphy’s moral sense of direction made him the best brother we could hope for. To his nieces and nephews, he was affectionately known as “Uncle Turkey,” and he spent memorable times at Hampton Circle bay and on vacations with them. “Three-ball Paul” loved tennis and will be sorely missed by “My Buddies” at Bayside and at Harvard University.

Visiting hours will held on Dec. 21 from 4-8 p.m. A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, 21 Emerald St., Hingham, at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 22, prior to the funeral Mass at St. Ann’s Church at 10:30 a.m. Cremation will follow. Interment and military honors in Hull Village Cemetery will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Emma Ryan Memorial Fund, c/o Hingham Institution for Savings, 401 Nantasket Ave., Hull, MA 02045.

Visit www.keohane.com for online condolences.