Robert "Terry" Murphy

Robert Terrence “Chico” Murphy, 71, passed away on Wednesday, February 8, 2017 surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on October 21, 1945 in Rockford, the son of Robert and Lola (Bowers) Murphy. As a very young boy, he and his family moved to Cherry Valley. He graduated from Auburn High School in 1963, where he holds the title for the first basket scored in the new school, and when students were bussed from Cherry Valley to the west side of Rockford. It was there that, he met a westsider, and the love of his life, Sherry A. Nicholson and the two married on May 1, 1965. They had 3 children in Rockford and raised them in Cherry Valley. Throughout his career, he worked as an electrician starting with Nicholson Electric, Byron Nuclear Plant, and finally retiring at Chrysler, where he worked in robotics. He was a proud member of the Local 364 Electrical Union. Terry was the founder of the Cherry Valley Men’s Club, and devoted member of Cherry Valley United Methodist Church. He was citizen of the year for Cherry Valley in 2015. In his own words, he was the Wisconsin Badgers biggest fan, but also a loyal fan of the White Sox and Bears. Most importantly, he was a wonderful son, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.

Survived by his wife of 51 years, Sherry; his children, Robert Timothy Patrick (Christine) Murphy, Lisa Marie (Jim Boyle) Murphy, and Theresa Diane Murphy; his grandchildren, Treven (Andrea) Culvey, Keenen Murphy, Corporal Stephen (Christine) Reyes, Sergeant Justin Reyes, Danielle Hammer, Lyndsey Hammer, Andrew Bergstrom, Trinity, Emrie and Rowan Murphy; great grandchildren, Quinn and Emalyen Hammer and Bentley Culvey; his brother Timothy Murphy; sisters Pat Gorsuch , Kathleen Sundberg, Sally Hollembeak, and Mary Wilson; sisters in-law, Diana (Allan) Hoover, Rebecca (Tom) Harvey; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents, mother and father in-law, Barb and Orman “Red” Nicholson, brothers in-law, Bill Gorsuch, Vance Sundberg, Pee Wee Hollembeak, and Ron Wilson, sister in-law Connie Murphy.

A special thank you to Northern Illinois Hospice for all of their care and comfort during this time.

A visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 12, 2017 and end at 4:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Mulford Chapel (Wisconsin Badger apparel encouraged!). A memorial service will be held on Monday, February 13, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at Cherry Valley United Methodist Church. Inurnment private. In lieu of flowers, per Terry’s wishes, house plants or perennials to be planted in the Murphy garden appreciated. Memorials to Cherry Valley Men’s Club or Cherry Valley United Methodist.