Inducted November 2, 1985
Denis “Dee” Murphy was born and resides in St. John’s. He was the initial president of softball in the province, serving as the top man provincially for 13 years. During that time he was responsible for the establishment of many softball leagues and has been made an honorary life member of many softball organizations including Softball Newfoundland. He is a member of the Newfoundland Softball Hall of Fame.
At the national level, he was elected a chartered vice-president of Softball Canada during its founding meeting in 1965 and served as a national vice-president for seven years. He is one of only five people who have been voted honorary life membership in the national softball organization, having twice represented Canada at international meetings, been national chairman for the softball competition at the 1977 Canada Summer Games as well as conducting three other national championships. He coached Newfoundland teams in seven national championships, and has won numerous local and provincial titles.
In addition to his softball service, Murphy has been an executive member of the local, provincial and/or national organizations for baseball, bowling, soccer, minor and intermediate hockey, table tennis, darts and broomball. He has been chairman of the St. John’s Athlete of the Year Committee for 23 years, was Newfoundland’s representative on the National Advisory Council for Fitness and Amateur Sport for three years, chairman for the sports activity of the Irish Christian Brothers Centennial celebrations and 1975 provincial sports executive of the year.
He was married to the former Bette Tricco, having six children.
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