Villanova Loses Distinguished Alumnus

John A. Murphy, Esq. ’51 C&F, former president and retired vice chairman of Philip Morris Companies, Inc., passed away at the age of 72 on June 16 in his hometown of Glen Cove, NY. 

“The Villanova community has experienced a great loss with the passing of John Murphy,” acknowledged Rev. Edmund J. Dobbin, O.S.A. ’58, University president.  “His generous support of the University through his dedication of time and experience as a Campaign volunteer, as well as his commitment of resources to support key programs, ensures his legacy as a distinguished alumnus.”

John A. Murphy served as a campaign volunteer in each of the University’s major fundraising efforts. His leadership in the Covenant I Campaign led to his role as chairman of the Covenant II Campaign in the 1980s.  His dedication and support of the University continued during The Villanova Campaign, completed in 1997, in which he served on both the Steering and Leadership Gifts Committees. Most recently, Murphy was working as a member of The Steering Committee for Transforming Minds and Hearts: The Campaign for Villanova, the University’s next fundraising effort currently in its quiet phase of preliminary planning and solicitation.

His commitment to Villanova and its students went beyond his volunteer activity. Murphy was always deeply interested in strengthening the University and was a key individual in the successful fundraising efforts that have transformed the campus. His belief in Villanova and its Augustinian mission led him to establish the John A. Murphy Chair in The College of Commerce and Finance during the previous campaign. This endowed faculty position, inaugurated March 17, 1999, enhances teaching and learning at the College and will forever link Murphy with educational excellence at Villanova.

Murphy was former president and was retired vice chairman of Philip Morris Companies, Inc., and played an integral role in leading one of America’s largest international conglomerates through an unprecedented period of growth and diversification. Marked by the acquisitions of such food and beverage businesses as Kraft, Inc., General Foods Company and the Miller Brewing Company, Philip Morris gained market share and expanded its business operations overseas under Murphy’s guidance. His work, most notably his leadership in Miller’s rise from seventh largest in American beer sales to second, earned Murphy many awards. These honors included being named “Ad Man of the Year” in 1977 by Advertising Age magazine and “Marketing Statesman of the Year” in 1979 by Sales and Marketing Executives International. 

In recognition of his professional achievements and his continuing dedication to the University, Villanova awarded Murphy with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Commercial Science in 1982. He was also a recipient of the University’s Alumni Medal in 1981 as well as The Bartley Award from the College of Commerce and Finance in 1978. Murphy is survived by his wife Carole, sons John, Jr., Kevin, Robert ’83 Law, and Timothy; daughters Kellyann Jones and Kathleen Conran; and 20 grandchildren.