Beloved father, journalist, and coach remembered for his humor, heart, and decades of storytelling across California and the West Coast.
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Beloved father, journalist, and coach remembered for his humor, heart, and decades of storytelling across California and the West Coast.
John Melchior Murphy, a longtime California sportswriter and mentor, died Nov. 21 in Highland. He was 69.
Murphy was born Jan. 5, 1956, in San Francisco and raised in San Bruno by his parents, James and Catherine Murphy.
He is survived by his son, Kyle; siblings Cathy Fama (Joe), Anne Murphy, R.S.M., and Jim Murphy (Linda, deceased); nephews Chris and Dan (Stephanie); great-nephews Ryan and Marty; and his partner, Maria Lopez.
A graduate of Serra High School, Murphy attended Skyline College and later earned a bachelor’s degree from San Francisco State University. While in college, he worked as a stringer for the San Mateo Times, covering high school sports on the Peninsula. He also served as a playground leader and mentor at John Muir School through San Bruno Recreation, where he earned a local PTA award. During that time, he organized a basketball team that went undefeated against top public and private schools in the region.
After graduation, Murphy became sports editor of the Watsonville Register-Pajaronian, where he worked for 11 years. He later wrote for papers in Oregon, Pacifica, Half Moon Bay, and the Inland Empire communities of Victorville, San Bernardino and Redlands. Known for his casual, funny and engaging style, he wrote extensively about high school sports as well as human-interest stories. His work earned numerous journalism awards across the state, including honors from the San Francisco and Los Angeles press clubs, with several awarded in 2025.
A funeral Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. Dec. 19 at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church in Burlingame. A private family burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Reception details will be announced at the Mass.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Serra High School, 451 W. 20th Ave., San Mateo, CA 94403, or the Sisters of Mercy, 2300 Adeline Drive, Burlingame, CA 94010.
This obituary was submitted by the family.
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