The passing of Maurice J. Mike Murphy last week, who served as CEO of the Automotive Trade Association National Capital Area, the forerunner to WANADA, from 1955 to 1982 was sad for the many friends heêd acquired over his long life. He was 94 when he passed in his sleep on May 5th.
A lifelong Washingtonian who personally experienced most of the 20th Century, Mike Murphy followed in the footsteps of his father, Richard J. Murphy, who served as the associationês first paid executive director from 1932 to 1955. Mike Murphy was succeeded by his son, Gerard Murphy, in 1982, who is currently CEO of WANADA.
During his 27 years as chief of staff, Mike Murphy oversaw the expansion of the associationês activities into such areas
as education and training, consumer affairs and fair advertising. From the late 1950s through the 1970s, The Washington Auto Show, then held at the DC National Guard Armory, grew in popularity and stature and drew some of the top talents of the day, including Ed Sullivan, Bert Parks, Vic Damone, Rosemary Clooney, Peggy Lee, Patty Paige, Pete Fountain and Al Hirt. Mr. Murphy stayed on as consultant to The Washington Auto Show after it was moved to the Washington Convention Center in the early 1980s, a role he played until just a few years ago.
It was also during Mike Murphyês tenure that WANADA began an employee benefits program, which, like The Washington Auto Show, operates successfully today. WANADA also stepped up its government relations activities, and responded to the consumer movement of the 1970s by forming AUTOCAP, which has gained area dealers national recognition from the White House on down.
He served as president of the Automotive Trade Association Executives in 1969 and chaired the DC Citizens Traffic Board, which helped set in motion many of the regional transportation plans that are in place today.
A graduate of DCês old Central High School, Mr. Murphy earned a degree in business at the University of Maryland in 1932. During World War II, he served as a Lieutenant Commander in the US Navy. He remained a lifelong supporter of the Maryland Terrapins and a contributor to the US Navy memorial.
Mr. Murphy was an active member of the Rotary Club of Washington, DC for 40 years. Proud of his Irish heritage, he was a member of the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in Washington. He was also an active parishioner of Little Flower Catholic Church and a longstanding member of Kenwood Golf and Country Club in Bethesda.
Besides Gerry, Mike is survived by his wife of 65 years, Marguerite, and daughter, Rosemary Walsh, of Rockville, MD. He also leaves five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be directed to The Rotary Foundation of Washington, D.C., Hotel Washington, 15th Street and Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20004.
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