Over a 31 year career, Charlie Murphy put his service to good use and never stopped learning. He taught English and coached multiple sports, as well as organized boxing, gymnastics and Little League, all on top of raising a family of five with his wife ‘Lou.’
Charles A. “Charlie” Murphy (1924-2012) served in World War II in the 86th Regiment, Company I, 10th Mountain Division. The man known affectionately as “Rock” was a retired teacher and coach at both high school and college levels.
A native of Freeport, New York, Charlie was a graduate of both the State University of New York at Cortland and Hofstra University. While at SUNY Cortland, he was a member of the track and gymnastics teams, and a Golden Gloves champion in boxing.
Upon returning from the war, Charlie spent the next 31 years as an English teacher and coach of football, track and wrestling in the Oceanside, NY Public Schools. He also coached football and track at C. W. Post College and was one of the charter inductees into that college’s Track Hall of Fame.
Charlie also supervised recreational activities such as Little League baseball, gymnastics and boxing. He organized and participated in boxing shows in New York’s Madison Square Garden. He was a long-time high school and college wrestling referee and past president of the Wrestling Officials Association. He was a church usher and Catholic Youth Organization coach.