Deacon Melvin L. Dunphy, 91

Deacon MELVIN DUNPHY, 91
 
NEW PORT RICHEY, Florida – Deacon Melvin (Mel) L. Dunphy passed away at his residence at Watermark at Trinity on Tuesday, Sept. 6. He was 91 and active in his ministry as permanent deacon at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in New Port Richey, where he assisted at Mass, was a gifted and entertaining homilist, conducted services at funeral homes, baptized children, served as a certified bereavement counselor, conducted bereavement seminars, and led a prayer group. He was at work in the Lord’s Garden and until the very end Mel enjoyed a happy, active, and meaningful life.
He was a devoted husband and father, and a beloved grandfather. Mel married his childhood sweetheart, the late Shirley Ann Boucher, and enjoyed more than 50 years of happy marriage with her. Together they had eight children, Michael, Suzanne, Karen, Patrick, Lucille, Stephen, Donna, and Christopher.
He was born in Duxbury, Vermont, to Daniel and Madeline (Robtoy) Dunphy, who passed their Catholic devotion along to their firstborn son. He graduated from Waterbury High School in Vermont. For some time during high school, Mel envisioned that he would one day own the grocery store he worked in part-time during school, until one day two of his teachers convinced him to apply to Boston University. As is said, the rest is history. He left his studies at Boston University to join the United States Navy during the Korean War and served for four years. He served on the USS Saipan, and was stationed at the Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, where his first two children were born. He later served for seven years as a medical officer in the United States Army Reserves.
After his discharge from the Navy, Mel resumed his studies at the University of Vermont, receiving a bachelor’s degree. He was the first person in his family to graduate from college.
He earned his living as a mathematics teacher and administrator. He began his career in education as an elementary school principal in Vermont, taught secondary school and college mathematics in Massachusetts, and served as a secondary school principal in Massachusetts and later in Vermont. He served in the public schools of Chelsea, Vermont, and Winchendon, Harvard and Gardner, Massachusetts, and Bradford, Vermont. While teaching in the Winchendon public schools, he was awarded a National Education Grant to attend Stetson University, where he received a master’s degree.
He studied for the permanent diaconate in the Diocese of Worcester and was ordained in 1979 by Bishop Timothy J. Harrington. His first assignment was at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Winchendon, where Father Edgar A. Pelletier was his first pastor. He then served seven years in the Diocese of Burlington, Vermont, and began serving at St. Thomas Aquinas in 1994 up until his death. During his time of service, he was also assigned at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Bradford, Vermont.
Deacon Dunphy baptized many of his grandchildren. He was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel and Madeline, wife, Shirley, son, Michael, daughter, Suzanne Kruger, and daughter, Donna Collins.
Deacon Dunphy is survived by his brother, Earle and his wife Christina, and his sister, Ann Butler and her companion Clifford and nieces and nephews.
He is also survived by his son-in-law, Danny Kruger, grandchildren Mike, Tim and Jenny; his daughter, Karen Antonellis, her husband, Nunzy, and grandchildren, Annie, Wellie and Carmela; his son, Patrick, his wife, Marylee, and grandchildren, Paul, Maria and Daniel; his daughter Lucy, her companion Ralph; and grandchildren, Amy, Matt and Katie; his son, Stephen, his wife Marlene, and granddaughter, Sara; Donna s daughters, Moriah and Michaela; and his son Christopher, daughter-in-law Marcela, and granddaughters, Shannon and Kyrie. Mel is also survived by Shirley s nephew, Paul Boucher, and his wife, Denise and many great-grandchildren.
Deacon Dunphy was the author of several published works, including The Gift (1980), and Two Flesh One Spirit, 10 Kids 50 Roses (2006). He formerly owned and operated the Toy Town Chapel Publishing LLC. Mel was an amateur actor and also loved to dance.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, New Port, Richey. Funerary services are being provided by Morgan Funeral Home & Cremation Service, New Port Richey, Florida. Interment will be at a later date, with his wife and son, Michael, in Calvary Cemetery, Winchendon.
Memorial contributions be made to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 8320 Old County Rd. 54, New Port Richey, FL 34653.