Brendan Francis Murphy, 78, a retired social worker and hospital planner for the Department of Veterans Affairs, died February 7, 2009 at home in Leonardtown from congestive heart failure.

Originally from Wilmington, DE, Mr. Murphy moved with his family to Leonardtown in 1979 and commuted to Washington, DC for more than 10 years. Prior to joining the VA, he worked as a statistician for the Census Department. At the VA, he held assignments at hospitals in Coatesville, PA, Battle Creek, MI, and the central office in DC. After retiring from the VA in 1990, he was a counselor for troubled teens and provided therapy at Calvert Psychiatric Associates.

He attended Archmere Academy in Wilmington, DE, then graduated with a bachelor's degree from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service. He went on to obtain a masters of social work from the University of Maryland.

He and his wife Sue Murphy also resided part time in Lewes, DE. Mr. Murphy was an avid boater and fisherman, and enjoyed many sports.

His wife of 48 years Sue, died after a long bout with cancer, died at home two days after Mr. Murphy.

Survivors include a sister Shelagh Madinabeitia, of Wilmington, DE, a brother Brian P. Murphy, of Middletown, DE, four children, Jerome A. Murphy of Arlington, VA, Anne Marie Murphy, of Powellville, MD, Patrick B. Murphy, of Leonardtown, MD, and Kathleen E. Murphy, of Baltimore, MD, and five grandchildren.

Family will receive friends for Brendan's Life Celebration on Friday, February 13, 2009 from 5pm to 8pm in Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A. 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday, February 14, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 21370 Newtowne Neck Road, Leonardtown, MD.
Interment will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 299, Leonardtown, MD 20650 and/or Hospice House of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.