Robert Murphy
12-10-1943 ~ 11-29-2021
Robert J. Murphy, Jr. “Santa Bob”, 77, of East Providence passed away on Monday, November 29, 2021. He was the beloved husband of Patricia A. (Dupere) Murphy to whom he was married for 58 yrs.
Born in East Providence, he was the son of the late Robert J. Murphy, Sr., and Alice (Veader) Murphy.
Robert was an HVAC controls mechanic and worked for Brown University for 25 years until he retired. He was a faithful communicant of St. Luke’s Church in Barrington.
Robert was known to many as “Santa Bob” and how much he loved his family, Jesus, giving, and Christmas. “Santa Bob” has brought the joy of Christmas to so many families throughout the years. His love of Christmas and giving wasn’t just for a month in December, it was all year round. Santa Bob donated so much of his time to those in need especially, children with special needs, and many charities like St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Hasbro Children’s Hospital. He also enjoyed Karaoke and brought Karaoke with Santa Bob to The Bristol Veteran’s Home. Santa Bob’s eyes would fill with tears when received a hug and a smile from a child with special needs. Santa Bob has been photographed and documented in so many family albums with children and their families for many years. He attended workshops to learn how to interact with children that were deaf and how to interact with autistic children. His magic of being Santa wasn’t only in his appearance but in his heart. Often times, parents would whisper, “you’re so amazing, you’re making me believe in Santa again.” He’d get serious and look them straight in the eye and say “you should never stop believing. The Spirit of Christmas is in your heart.” To know Santa Bob was to love him. He loved harder than anyone. He prayed for everyone around him. He embraced the magic of Christmas and poured into his family and every family he met no matter if it was July or December. Everyone he met learned about the love of his life Patricia and his daughter’s and grandchildren who he adored. His love and generosity will be dearly missed by his family and those who knew him.
Besides his wife Patricia, he leaves two daughters, Melissa Cooper and her Fiancé John Galego of Georgia, Jennifer Rutherford and her husband Mark of East Taunton, four grandchildren, Jonathan Cooper and his wife Baylee, Jeffrey Cooper, Lindsay Almeida and her husband Phillip, LCpl. Andrew Rutherford, one sister, Elizabeth Vartanian, and his mother in law who he called Mom, Jeanette Dupere and extended family.
His funeral was held on Monday, December 6, at 10:00 AM at the PERRY-McSTAY FUNERAL HOME, 2555 Pawtucket Avenue, East Providence with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM in St. Luke’s Church, 108 Washington Rd, Barrington. Burial with Military Honors was in R.I. Veteran’s Cemetery, Exeter, RI.
Additionally…
The owners and entire staff of the Reporter NewsMag are saddened by the recent loss of Santa Bob during this holiday season. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family. The Reporter enjoyed the pleasure of capturing Santa Bob with our camera as he made often visits throughout East Providence. We know that he visited children who believed in him across the world, but he loved East Providence the most.
The Murphy family posted this announcement upon Santa Bob’s passing: “It is with great sadness that God has taken another Angel, Robert Murphy, Santa Bob, to Heaven. Our hearts are so broken and just no words can describe the sadness that we feel. We lost a wonderful kind hearted, and most importantly a loving man. He was a devoted Husband, Father, Papa, and Friend. He gave so much love and dedication to being Santa. Please keep him and our family in your prayers. We will post on his page when arrangements have been made.”
The spirit of giving and of putting smiles on faces of children of all ages, will live on for many, thanks to Santa Bob. Rest in Peace.
Memorial contributions can be made inBob’s memory to: The CT Society of Santas, PO Box 541, Bethlehem, CT 06751.
