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Murphy named Irish Elk of the Year

John "Jack" Murphy
The Springfield Lodge of Elks #61, Irish Committee, is proud to announce that John "Jack" W. Murphy, of Agawam, has been named the 2007 Irish Elk of the Year.

Jack traces his third generation, Irish-American roots back to the Driscoll's and the Murphy's of County Cork, Irland.

Born and raised in Springfield, MA, Jack is the son of the late John "Al" Murphy, Jr., and Margaret (Driscoll) Murphy and the grandson of the late J. Albert Murphy, Sr. The Murphy Family has quite a rich and deep tradition in Elkdom, especially within the Springfield Lodge. Jack's grandfather (Irish Elk 1972) and father (Irish Elk 1979) became the first father/son combination to be selected as the Irish Elk of the Year of the Springfield Lodge. Now Jack adds to that history by becoming the third in the line of three generations to be chosen for this honor.

Jack is a 1978 graduate of Cathedral High School, and a 1981 graduate of Springfield Technical Community College. Jack then began what has become a long, honorable and recognized career in public service. Jack has held positions within law enforcement as a former cadet and officer, in emergency medical services as a Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate and patient care services as the Patient Transportation Coordinator in his current employment for Baystate Health System Ambulance, which is affiliated with Baystate Medical Center.

He joined the Springfield Lodge of Elks #61 in 1982, and as his heritage dictated, he immediately jumped into full swing with Irish Committee and their associated activities. For years, he diligently served on several subcommittees, namely the Irish Coffee Guild, worked under his father's tutelage serving Irish Coffees from Al Murphy's cottage. Jack was then elected Vice Chairman of the Committee in 1998 and General Chairman in 1999. He was honored by the Committee in 2000 and 2006 with his selection as the Jospeh Q. Williams Award and the John A. "Al" Murphy Award winner respectively. Jack has also been very active on several other lodge committees, mostly the Hoop Shoot Committee (both local and national activities) and the Veterans Committee. He also became deeply involved in the leadership of the Lodge with his appointment to a lodge officers position as Esquire in 2000 leading to his election as Exalted Ruler of the Lodge 2004-05.

Married to Pamela (Holden) Murphy for 19 years, he is the proud father of three children, Rebecca, Michael, and Matthew and four grandchildren, Aubrey, Nicholas, Emily and Jacob, all of whom will proudly watch "Granpa" lead the Elks contingent in the 2007 Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade on March 18.

Jack Murphy will be honored at the Springfield Elks #61 annual Irish Dinner Dance on March 10, and the Annual Irish Nationality Night on March 14. For more info, contact Steve McGirr, Publicity Chairman at 374-9213.