<p>Lynn Murphy, a longtime Chilmark resident and salty Menemsha character who helped inspire the character Quint in Jaws, died at home Thursday morning.</p>
Lynn Murphy, a longtime Chilmark resident and salty Menemsha waterfront character, died at home Thursday morning. He was 88 and had been a fixture on the Menemsha waterfront since just after the second World War. He also helped inspire the character Quint played by Robert Shaw in the movie Jaws.
Craig Kingsbury, another Island character, worked with Mr. Shaw directly on Quint, the crusty harpooner in Jaws, the blockbuster movie filmed on the Vineyard in the summer of 1974. But in a 2011 Gazette interview about his book Jaws: Memories from Martha’s Vineyard, author Matt Taylor said it was Lynn Murphy who provided the pivotal inspiration at a time of need.
“As the story goes, Robert Shaw was having difficulty one day with how to deliver one of his lines,” Mr. Taylor said. “As he was speaking to Spielberg about this, Lynn was in the background hollering at one of the crew members about an anchor line or something, totally losing it, and Steven stopped Robert and said ‘You hear that? That’s how I want you to sound. From now on Lynn is Quint.’
“Interviewing people in Hollywood, almost every single one of them across the board said to me, ‘If it weren’t for Lynn Murphy Jaws probably never would have seen the light of day.’”
Mr. Murphy’s expertise as a marine mechanic was even more prized than his authentic personality that summer, as he helped the Hollywood producers tame Bruce, the mechanical shark that played a major role in the movie. Behind the scenes, Bruce was notoriously fickle.
Lynn C. Murphy could fix anything.
Lynn C. Murphy could fix anything.
“The sea-sled shark was just another scallop dredger as far as I was concerned,” Mr. Murphy told Mr. Taylor for the book.
He was born on Mount Desert Island in Maine, grew up in Fairhaven and later trained to be an automobile mechanic. He came to Chilmark in the late 1940s following his discharge from the Navy. There he eventually established Menemsha Marine Repair, which he operated for more than half a century.
In a 2004 Gazette interview, he said despite his many years on the Island, he always felt a little like an outsider. “You have to be on the ball here,” he said. “You have to be weird, or tough or stupid to live in Chilmark for 50 years.”
It was vintage Lynn Murphy talk.
He could fix anything and was known to have a temper. In 1969 he threw the Chilmark harbor master Phil Le Vasseur into the harbor, for reasons now lost to history.
“Lynn Murphy, it is clear, will not imitate Chilmark society in order to belong to it,” Peter McGhee wrote in a colorful account of the incident in the Gazette that year.
But Mr. Murphy also told the Gazette: “My temper doesn’t go any farther than the length of a boat. When I yell at you, remember it isn’t that I’m mad at you, I’m yelling so that you hear me.”
For all his colorful language and temper, Lynn Murphy was a friend to anyone in need on the waterfront. In 1954, a boat owner and seasonal resident of Chilmark asked Sen. John F. Kennedy to nominate Mr. Murphy for a Congressional Medal due to his “public spirited and unflagging efforts” during the first of two hurricanes that slammed the Vineyard that year. Senator Kennedy sent the letter to the Gazette with his own note: “I know that you will agree with me that Mr. Murphy’s efforts and great courage . . . should make all citizens of Massachusetts proud.”
He married twice and had nine children, two of whom predeceased him. He encouraged all his children to get an education. “I tell them go to school. Learn what you can. Then if you want to mess with boats you can,” he told the Gazette.
In more recent years he and his wife Susan, the former Chilmark postmistress, planted and tended a small blueberry farm at their Chilmark home.
Susan Murphy said Thursday that the cause of death was complications of old age.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Abel’s Hill cemetery in Chilmark.
Comments
It was the winter of 1985 and
Tara Larsen ChilmarkIt was the winter of 1985 and I was living on Dutcher's Dock. I was trying to get up the hill to get to work in a snow storm. But in a Chevy Chevette without four wheel drive it was not going to be easy. Lynn saw me in need of assistance and dressed in his canvas overalls crawled under my car, hooked a rope to my axel and pulled me with his truck to the Crossroads. I will never forget his kindness to me. Rest in peace......
RIP Lynn...when they made you
TOM HODGSON WTRIP Lynn...when they made you they broke the mold.
I will never forget working
Jeff Baker Prospect MaineI will never forget working with Bill King,Lynn Murphy and John Olson
Quint could not hold a candle to them !
R.I.P. Lynn .
He was definitely a one of a
Troy Harper Charleston SCHe was definitely a one of a kînd. The island will feel different without him. R.I.P Lynn. My condolences to Susan and the family.
When we first moved to the
Liz Hyde Marshfield, MAWhen we first moved to the Keith Farm in Chilmark, our friends warned us not to get cross-wise of Lynn Murphy, the man was known for his temper. Strange thing though, the first people to extend a hand of friendship and an invitation to dinner were Lynn and Susan Murphy. He could be as cantankerous as a bear, but the twinkle never left his eyes. Loved that man, he was one of a kind, and the best. Rest easy, my friend.
Susan - I am so sorry to hear
Barbara (Friedman) Willis South CarolinaSusan - I am so sorry to hear Lynn's light has burned out. And what a light! SO many stories . . . His spirit will be causing a disturbance in the Force (or whatever) for eons to come. But, for now Peace Lynn.
I knew Lynn from our time
George Gamble Oak BluffsI knew Lynn from our time together at the MV Rink where he was always willing to help including fundraising, tying skates and yelling at referees. He was quite a character !
So sorry to hear of Lynn's
Lucinda Sheldon Oak BluffsSo sorry to hear of Lynn's passing. My sincere condolences to Susan, Lynn Jr.and Luke.
I had both privilege and
DAWN GUIDRY MONTZ Goodbee, LouisianaI had both privilege and pleasure to meet Mr. Lynn Murphy at the Vineyard Haven Senior Center while there for lunch with my mother, Jane Guidry, in May, 2015. It was such a serendipitous pleasure for a lover of story as myself to have Mr. Murphy entertain our table with fabulous first-hand details of his poignant participation in the filming of 'Jaws'. And for me and my mother,the "lagniappe" was the privilege of a lifetime to be in such esteemed and entertaining company.
Thank you for the memories, Mr. Lynn Murphy. May you rest in peace in an eternity of calm seas.
I offer my most sincere condolences to Mr. Murphy's family and friends. May you forever find peace in your memories of him.
I always loved going to the
Natasha Mast Bedford, NYI always loved going to the Galley as a kid and watching Lynn work. He always had a twinkle in his eye and a smile to share. Sending love to Lucas, Lynn Jr and Susan.
In 2006 I lost the keys to my
Melanie Englert Vineyard HavenIn 2006 I lost the keys to my 73 VW Beetle in Menemsha. Lynn brought a 45 mm wrench and socket and took the steering wheel off. We were able to remove the lock cylinder and I started my car with a screwdriver. He was always there in a fix. God speed Lynn.
I'm sorry to hear this and my
Jonathan Rose Vineyard Haven, maI'm sorry to hear this and my sincere condolences to his family. Another island legend gone but not forgotten
as long as he lives in our
Jennifer Stix Vineyard Havenas long as he lives in our hearts and our minds, and our memories, he isn't really gone. . .
wild man that terrified me as
gus wheeler CHILMARKwild man that terrified me as a child..as he worked out of that truck.!...leaned to get out of his way....and then out of nowhere HE was there,, helping me secure my boat at the town landing amidst a wicked storm ! he knew how to get the job done....and beneath his tough persona , was a caring sensitive good guy.... glad i got to know that part also.... blessings....
What a guy! Others have
Kate Up IslandWhat a guy! Others have mentioned that twinkle in his eye. He was a sparkler and a charmer. And the stories! A legend in his own time. The stories will live through the ages. God Speed Lynn and God Bless Susan and all the family. Your Island community loved him and loves you. xoxo
I never met Lynn. We
Dan Daniels Alexandria VirginiaI never met Lynn. We vacationed the summer Jaws was filmed & it was truly one if the best films I ever saw! I remember sailing my small scow behind Bruce as they towed him out for filming. I still don't swim in the ocean.
Rest In Peace Lynn. You moved
Susan Shea Edgartown, Ma.Rest In Peace Lynn. You moved my family here in 1959 and what a gift that was! Thank you! You will be missed!!
REST IN PEACE CAP
rob the roofer new jerseyREST IN PEACE CAP
My dad & Lynn had a lot in
Cookie Hartigan YordonMy dad & Lynn had a lot in common. They worked on boats their whole lives. Cut from the same cloth. I met Lynn when my parents moved to W. TIsbury in '86. He was a hard worker and one of a kind! Condolences to Susan & RIP Lynn!
A huge part of Menemsha goes
Scott McDowell MenemshaA huge part of Menemsha goes out with the tide. Fair winds Lynn.
My condolences to Susan and
John Alley West TisburyMy condolences to Susan and the family. He was quite a character. He seemed always to have a story to tell when he came to the store. I vividly remember a snowy day many years ago (he plowed for the State from Parsonage Pond to Gay Head) He owned a Dodge Power Wagon and came in during a snowstorm for coffee with the truck steering wheel in his hand he said it came off when he was parking. He asked my father if he had a couple of bolts to fix it so he could get back on the job.
The day i met Lynn in '94 i
David Diriwachter Vineyard HavenThe day i met Lynn in '94 i was trespassing on his property. He said, "Tell me why i shouldn't shoot you right now?" I turned with a huge grin, shrugged and said, "Go ahead". We became fast friends. He was a keystone figure in what makes living here so wonderful. Such a huge loss. My love to Susan and the whole gang.
Susan ~ I am sorry for your
Juliet Englander PhiladelphiaSusan ~ I am sorry for your loss. You are one of the kindest people I've met in Chilmark. May you & your family experience kindest at this time of grieving. Sincerely ~Juliet
Lynn always greeted you with
Jeff Madison Gay Head & MashpeeLynn always greeted you with a warm smile and a good story. Always willing to lend a helping hand, he'll be sorely missed. Condolences to Susan and his entire family. R.I.P. old friend.
We will miss Mr. M as we
Linda Bergeron Freedman Edgartown maWe will miss Mr. M as we called him at the supportive day program. The stories and shark tales he told with his handsome grin. He was a great person to just sit with and talk about cars, trucks or anything with a motor or engine. Much love and hugs to Susan and the family.
“Jaws” was an extremely
Joe Alves Woodland Hills, CA“Jaws” was an extremely difficult movie to make. When I was put in charge of forming a team to design, build and operate the shark for Jaws, I was told by all the “experts” it would take a year or two to make. A mechanical shark made to perform in the ocean had never been created before. Bob Mattey was the man to do it, but he was only given a few months, not years. I know that Bob, if he were still alive, would join Roy Arbogast and me in saying that without Lynn Murphy, a difficult job would have been much more difficult. Lynn was such a huge help in the operating of the shark. His knowledge of the water made the impossible, doable. Studio Special Effects people have knowledge of many things but when it comes to the ocean you need a person like Lynn as a guide. Which he did very well.
Lynn Murphy’s assistance on Jaws went far beyond just being a “good boat guy”. He helped design a lot of the mechanisms that were used to tow the shark from place to place. Roy and I can’t praise Lynn enough for all his contributions and how he helped us make Jaws.
Joe Alves, Production Designer
Roy Arbogast, Special Effects
Joe, can you please contact
Michael Cochrane Norwalk, ConnecticutJoe, can you please contact me? I am the great grandson on R.H. Cochrane, who is the founder of Universal Pictures and am working on a massive project for JAWS and the 50th Anniversary on Martha's Vineyard in 2025. Thank you very much! - [email protected].
He is gone but will never be
Capt Allan starr Newport,N CHe is gone but will never be forgotten,so many stories. He sent coast guard crew to mechanics school and after towingmin disabled vessel CG crew would be back in a flash with Menemsha marine coveralls on repairing it,I could write a book about him but I don t have too.fair since forever Capt Lynn
LYNN and I met in1950 while I
Leo Irrera Washington, DC and Old South RoadLYNN and I met in1950 while I was working at the original Home Port in Menemsha and living in a barrack on Peaked Hill. We became fast friends immediately. Our adventures are too numerous to mention? Over the years he kept my cars running, my home plumbing and heating system working and my family laughing. He was a mechanical genius, who often functioned loudly but effectively and generously. In short, I loved the guy.
Rest in piece Lynn and God bless you Susan for all you've done.
As Leo's son, I remember the
Joe Irrera Nashville, TNAs Leo's son, I remember the raucous fun we always seemed to have when Lynn stopped by for cocktails. He taught my dad to cuss like a sailor! God lift your beautiful spirit, Lynn and my heart goes out to you, Susan for this suddenly big empty space.
Sue I'm so sorry I remember
Audrey Jefferd Gay Hesd:AquinnahSue I'm so sorry I remember being flower girls with Jeffie at your wedding my mom performed.
Very sad news indeed, As a
Simon Greetham Sheffield United KingdomVery sad news indeed, As a jaws fan the stories of Lynn and his work on the film are legendary, so sorry he has left us, my thoughts are with you
Bob and I are so deeply
Bob and Dianne Congdon Ft Lauderdale, FLBob and I are so deeply touched with the passing of Lynn Murphy. We spent many years in Menemsha and witnessed the marvels of Lynn Murphy. How wonderful it is to be authentic in this day and age of correctness. Thank you Lynn for this. Love to Susan and all the family. Biggest Hugs, Di and Bob
So sorry to hear the news of
Patty Codding Tisbury, MASo sorry to hear the news of the passing of another great island character. Lynn was quite the guy - always had something brewing, willing to tell a tale or the truth. His interest and knowledge of different forms of music were an inspiration. He will be sorely missed by the Codding family. Our love to Susan and the boys.
My condolences to Susan and
John Verret ChilmarkMy condolences to Susan and the family. Lynn was truly a legendary character. I met him in 1968 when I first came to MV, but didn't really get to know him until my friend and I bought an old 26' inboard that we kept in Quitsa. That began a renewed friendship as we became what he laughing called his "prisoners". We needed help with everything and spent countless hours with Captain Murphy, listening to stories, learning "the commonsense of owning a boat" and the Menemsha rules. His shack next to The Galley was like a clubhouse filled with parts and tales that could only be told by Lynn. His beautiful Susan became a friend over the years as well.
God bless the family. Fair tides Captain Murphy. I will always wear my Menemsha Marine tee shirt with pride.
I remember Lynn, Susan and
Rhona Silverbush NYC, NYI remember Lynn, Susan and their kids fondly from my time in Menemsha growing up. My heart goes out to Susan, all of Lynn's kids and his entire family, and his friends. My parents send their condolences as well--you are in our thoughts.
Susan,Neil and I send our
Jacqueline Balaschak Louisa,VirginiaSusan,Neil and I send our sympathy from Virginia. We had several nice chats with Lynn when Neil brought hives up to pollinate your blueberries. Lynnwas not particulary fond of the bees!. Ironically,we moved to Virginia,and have 4 acres of blueberries,on our 25 acre farm. May the wind be at your back,Lynn.
LONG LIVE JAWS & TO ALL OF
David Jawz Gibson Salem, VirginiaLONG LIVE JAWS & TO ALL OF THOSE FOLKS WHO MADE THIS CLASSIC FILM POSSIBLE & A HEARTY THANX TO LYNN MURPHY AS WELL
I send my sympathies to Susan
Louise Draper CaliforniaI send my sympathies to Susan. Lynn was a great Vineyarder and was always very kind to me and my family.
I found out recently Lynn
David Green LiverpoolI found out recently Lynn Murphy passed away, and just thought I'd share this with you all.
I met Lynn and Susan around October time 1999. A very difficult time for me being away from my mother who was terminally ill at the time.
I am a big Jaws fan and had pre arranged to meet Lynn on the Island many months previous. When I got to the Island and called him, I spoke to Susan who told me that Lynn had undergone major surgery on his stomach and would not be well enough to see me after being in hospital. Although, and to this day I felt very guilty, I asked that I wouldn't take too much of Lynn's time. He agreed through Susan. When I did finally turn up after numerous wrong turns, I eventually spotted Lynn standing proud on a slight hill waiting for me to pull up to his driveway. I was welcomed to some quite justifiable stick for keeping him standing there waiting for me and my friends to arrive. Now this is the measure of the man. Not only did Lynn get out of his sickbed to greet us, I learned that he still had stitches in his belly. He gave us a guided tour around his boat yard, showing me Jaws props, boats used in the movie, the lot. He then invited us into his home, from there he graced us with his warmth and hospitality, before taking us through his amazing polaroid collection of behind the scenes JAWS production shots. His onset stories will stay with me forever. Susan then walks in with two of her son's. I was really happy to finally meet Susan. It was good to meet and see the person from the other end of the phone! Although Lynn was in some pain, he drove my friends and I to Dutcher dock to show us where Quints Shack used to stand before the town fathers took it down. Again some great JAWS stories were told by Lynn as we walked around the dock. I will treasure the whole experience with Lynn and Susan forever.
Thanks Lynn, I'll never forget you mate. You were a true gentleman with a heart of gold. I'll miss you!
From one JAWS fan to another. Rest in peace my friend XX
My family and I knew Lynn &
Lisa Collomb Gandolfo Boca Raton, FloridaMy family and I knew Lynn & Susan Murphy for years. They use to visit us in West Palm Beach as he use to stay at Mel Spencer’s boat yard which is now a mega yacht center called Rybovich Marina. It was where Ted Turner years ago docked his sailing yacht Tenacious. Jimmy Buffet too parked his vintage yacht at.
We would visit Lynn & Susan in Martha’s Vineyard and my fond memories was him crying up bushels of scallops he fished for and I ate so many I got a stomach ache!
What really stood out in my memory bank was he and my fathers belly laughs together whike visiting him in the Vineyard and he drove us to his sons graveyard afterwards that he went to visit daily. Those laughs turned to tears.
We also had lunch on the Vineyard once and my father was laughing so hard at Lynn’s salty stories he fell backwards on his chair. What a classic mental picture that was for me.
He was a complex man, a salty dog but had a compassion for life and loved his life and his family. He had a heart of gold and I loved his vineyard accent!! You know Floridians don’t have one.
I remember his kids when they were young and I remember Susan being the local post master and she was so young. In spite of an age gap they were made for each other like myself and my husband who have 27 years difference.
Best part? He knew James Taylor and Carly Simon and that gave me bragging rights to my friends.
So sorry I never got back up to the Vineyard to see you Lynn before your passing. As I have read all these comments I see you are truly missed and what a legacy to leave on the island working on Jaws and being such an integral part of the making.
Prayers going up to you in heaven boss.
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