HELLO, MY NAME IS… Dannis Murphy.
I LIVE IN THE WEST VALLEY AND I LOVE IT BECAUSE… I live here with my wife, Jennifer, and son, Conner. My favorite part of living here is the warm weather and feelings of community. Coming from a small town, I enjoy the slower pace of the West Valley.
A TYPICAL DAY IN MY LIFE INCLUDES… a lot of meetings! I have worked at Sagewood, a senior living community in North Phoenix, for almost two years. I keep my office open to memory care residents, so I get frequent “drop-ins” for the best kind of meetings and greetings all the time. I love helping others and giving residents living with dementia the quality of life that they deserve.
MY FAMILY IS… originally from a small town in Nebraska. Spalding only has 550 people.
ONE THING I CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT IS… my family and friends. Whether I am watching a movie or a favorite show with my family or meeting friends for a quick happy hour, I love to be doing something with others.
MY FAVORITE MOVIE I COULD NEVER GET TIRED OF WATCHING AND WHY IS… “A Quiet Man” with John Wayne. I am Irish-German and have never been to Ireland. I imagine the movie is how life would be like in Ireland and I love the beauty of the country. Plus, a love story with a redhead doesn’t hurt also. My wife is a redhead.
WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, I WANTED TO BE… a high school coach and math teacher.
THE SONG I WOULD SING AT KARAOKE NIGHT IS… I don’t do karaoke, but if I am forced it would be a country song or something by Meatloaf.
THE ONE PERSON WHO MOTIVATES ME IS… as weird as it sounds the one person that motivates me is myself. The more motivation that comes from within, the easier the job becomes.
THE LAST THING THAT MADE ME LAUGH OUT LOUD WAS… listening to jokes from my 12-year-old son.
THE PERFECT DAY… includes a camping trip with my family in our RV by a lake or river and a whole lot of relaxing with them.
MY FAVORITE LOCAL NONPROFIT IS… the Alzheimer’s Association. I have been volunteering with this organization for five years now and have served as the co-chair and chairman of the West Valley Walk to End Alzheimer’s. I also recently started with the downtown Phoenix Walk as the logistics/day of experience chair. I am proud of my involvement with this organization and by working with Alzheimer’s and dementia residents closely at Desert Willow Memory Care, I know how important organizations like these mean to families and those living with memory loss.
MY LIFE IS… never boring. If I am not pulled in multiple directions at Sagewood, my family will do it when I get home. I love being able to help everyone.
THE BEST GIFT I’VE EVER RECEIVED WAS… a TomTom GPS from my wife. I love all technology and she knows this.
MY DREAM VACATION WOULD BE… two weeks in Ireland and Scotland. My wife and I are planning on a trip for our 50th birthdays in a couple years.
THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE I’VE EVER RECEIVED IS… “Have fun today.” In other words, don’t wait, make what you are doing fun no matter what it is.
