Daniel G. Murphy Jr. | Ford dealer, 89

Daniel G. Murphy Jr., 89, formerly of Rose Tree, founder of Murphy Ford in Chester, died Sunday while recovering from a broken hip at Riddle Village in Media.

Mr. Murphy grew up in Overbrook and graduated from Episcopal Academy. In 1940, he married Sara Price. The next year the couple bought a small dairy farm in Unionville.

Though he had wanted to try farming, he soon tired of getting up at dawn and milking cows, said his daughter, Sallie Palm, and in 1946 he went to work for the state. He also sold cars for Chester Lincoln Mercury.

In 1955 he bought the dealership and later a Ford franchise. After his son, Daniel III, took over the dealership, Mr. Murphy continued to go to the office until the mid-1980s, his daughter said.

He loved cars, boats, and dancing to big bands, she said. He drove Lincolns and, for fun, owned a Mustang convertible and more recently a Thunderbird convertible. He started his boating hobby with a 28-foot Owens motorboat and graduated to an 88-foot Broward yacht.

Mr. Murphy boated on the Chesapeake in the spring and fall; in Avalon, N.J., in the summer; and in Boca Grande, Fla., in the winter. Officials used his boat, Galaxie, at events sponsored by the Yacht Club at the Union League, where Mr. Murphy was a longtime member. He was also a member of the Avalon, Stone Harbor (N.J.) and Annapolis (Md.) Yacht Clubs.

In addition to his daughter and son, Mr. Murphy is survived by three grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife.

A graveside service was held yesterday at Glenwood Memorial Gardens, Broomall.