Michael F. Murphy, 21, lineman trainee, saved Christopher S. Wyman, 5, from drowning, Hudson, Massachusetts, December 31, 1968. Christopher slid down the bank of the Assabet River, continued 15 feet across an ice apron, and fell into the water. The current carried him downstream toward a dam, where the ice extended completely across the river. Christopher’s brother reported the situation to Murphy and another man, but they could not see Christopher. After the other man had left to summon help, Murphy spotted Christopher just under the edge of the ice above the dam. Running across the ice apron at the bank, Murphy dived into the water and swam about 25 feet to Christopher, who was unconscious. In water eight feet deep, Murphy submerged, grasped Christopher, and pulled him to the surface. Holding Christopher with one arm, Murphy swam with the other back to the edge of the ice apron, where he found footing on the river bottom and lifted Christopher onto the ice. Others arrived. They aided Murphy from the water. Christopher was hospitalized overnight. He recovered,
50632 – 5603
50632-5603Obituary
Michael Francis Murphy, 72, of Hudson, Mass., and Laconia N.H., died on March 26, 2020. Murphy graduated from Hudson High in 1966 and was employed at Hudson Light & Power for 15 years before working at NSTAR until his retirement in 2011.
In December 1969, he received the Carnegie Medal for the rescue of a drowning young adult in Hudson one year earlier. He was a lifetime member of the Elks.
Murphy’s favorite pastimes were working on his cars and his Harley, along with taking daily walks. In his younger years, he was an avid skier and bicyclist.
He was born to William F. Murphy and Mary Edith (McManus) Murphy. Murphy was married to Cheryl L. (Aseltine) Murphy for 42 years. He was the father of Erik F. Murphy and Jason L. Murphy. Other survivors were his granddaughter, Karissa L. Murphy, and his sister Denise C. Murphy. He was predeceased by his brother, John J. Murphy.
(Edited from an obituary published in the Hudson Sun of Marlborough, Mass.)