“Hometown HeroesA regular feature about people on South Whidbey who are making a difference in the quality of life for their friends, families, neighbors or others they may never even meet. To nominate people for consideration as a Hometown Hero, send a note with their names and your name, plus a way to contact them and the reasons for their nomination. Write to The Record, P.O. Box 387, Langley, WA. 98260. A Hometown Hero plaque listing the names of all the heroes since 1995 is on display at the Freeland Library.Joe Murphy, this month’s Hometown Hero, is coach of one of the toughest, and most fun loving, softball teams around — South Whidbey Intensity.Matt Johnson / staff photoJoseph Michael MurphyBorn Jan. 11, 1955 in Seattle, Wash.Family:Two sisters; wife Karen, married July 27, 1979; children, Shannon, 18, Jennifer, 15, Melanie, 8.Education: Shoreline High School, Seattle Central Community CollegeYears on Whidbey:SevenHobbies: Youth athletics, boating, skiing, golf, fishingFavorite volunteer activities: Youth athletics, coaching, Habitat for Humanity.Joe Murphy is predictably level-headed and calm in all situationsSome people get upset easily, dealing with life’s inconveniences or annoyances as if each were an emergency, and causing an atmosphere of crashing waves.Others are able to handle life with a consistent steadiness, creating around them a climate of a calm sea of glass.Possibly it’s a matter of perspective, of being able to keep in sight the larger picture. Perhaps, too, it has to do with being clear about one’s priorities.According to many on South Whidbey, Joe Murphy is a perfect example of someone acting in a predictably level-headed, unflappable manner, envisioning what is beyond the immediate to take in the horizon as well.Even under literally explosive circumstances, says next door neighbor Patricia Stephens, Murphy maintains a cool head and a perspective of what’s really important to him.It was a mishap that caused a spark to shoot from a neighbor’s home to the Murphy’s garage.Joe and I were outside at the time to witness the Murphy’s garage explode into flames, Stephens recalled. Knowing everyone was safe, Joe Murphy remained calm, she said, thankful no one was harmed.Even as we watched his garage burn, his truck destroyed, his new landscape become charred, windows crash and soot blackening the face of the home he had built, he expressed how fortunate we were, Stevens said. He never lost sight of his gratefulness that no one was injured — even in the aftermath of endless insurance inspectors, all the replanting and rebuilding.Murphy himself said, I believe very few incidences in life call for overexcited reactions. Most events are, at the worst, inconveniences, but not tragedies.His friend Gene Felton says Murphy is always able to stress the positive.Joe is even-tempered, never prone to yelling or getting angry and upset, Felton said.Murphy says he cannot control other people or most circumstances around him. But I can manage my own thoughts, and be responsible for my reactions, he said.Felton says these traits of Joe’s along with his wonderful wit and sense of humor make for an excellent coach and teacher.Before the Murphys settled here from Mountlake Terrace, Wash., their eldest daughter was intense about the game of softball.I was enjoying helping the coach and the opportunity to spend time with my daughters, Murphy said. When the family realized this sport wasn’t available for their daughters here on South Whidbey, even though the interest was high, Joe Murphy went about making it happen.Joe ought to be called the godfather of fastpitch softball, said Ray Gabelein. It was Joe’s vision, leadership, organizational skills and perseverance that got it going.Gabelein added that Murphy was smart enough to get the right people involved, too. He is a doer, not a talker, donating thousands of hours and equal amounts of dollars to the effort, but always giving credit to the organizations that help, Gabelein said.I just saw an opportunity to spend more time with my daughters, Murphy said. If they’d been interested in ballet or music, I’d have been just as happy to be involved in those endeavors, too.It just happened, Murphy says, that they picked softball. He himself was certainly no athlete growing up, he said.Far from it. In fact, I was scrawny, puny, short and slow all the way through high school. I’m still not all that good at sports, Murphy said.The girls got their ‘sports genes’ from their mother’s side of the family, he said with a smile.Seated on a couch in the family’s front room next to Karen, his wife of 22 years and the woman he’s known since the fifth grade, Murphy said, I appreciate all I have in this life so much. I just don’t know how I got to be so lucky.Murphy also reflects on those who must struggle and suffer in their life, and how important it is to give the world’s children a good start in life.My mom, Betty, was the classic 1950s mom: She stayed at home, cooked pot roast on Sundays, Murphy said. She also suffered from painful arthritis since her early thirties, which limited her. But she never complained, always being upbeat.Murphy said his father, Warren, has always been a strong presence.My dad has had the wisdom not to give too much advice to his stubborn and hardheaded son unless asked, he said. When he began his own construction business in Snohomish County, his father was just retiring from his real estate business in the area.I had the occasion to work with people who had also worked for or with my dad, Murphy said. His reputation for honesty and integrity set a standard for me to live up to.Murphy said that by watching his father deal with people, he learned to have compassion for others.If I begin to feel annoyed with someone’s behavior, I remind myself that more than likely this person is behaving the best way they know how at this moment, Murphy said.He adds that whether young or old, we all want to be treated with respect. And if we treat everyone this way, there won’t be as many misunderstandings. He also believes we must make adjustments for different people. For example, he says there is a distinct difference between boys’ and girls’ athletics.Boys play to win, to vanquish their opponents, Murphy said. Girls like to win too, but at least as important to girls — if not more so — is the social aspect, having fun with their friends.He’s learned, he said, to allow the girls their social time first.While they stretch in a circle, we foster a time for them to talk about whatever is on their minds, before getting to the business of practice or play, he said.South Whidbey High School student Ashley Lopez has praise for Murphy.Joe listens to all of our problems on and off the field, Lopez said. He’s a great coach, inspiring us in all ways of our lives. He’s more than a coach, he’s our friend, too.Lopez says Murphy doesn’t get mad at them while coaching, and that keeps the team’s morale positive.Barb Schneeman describes Murphy as considerate and patient, saying his ability to keep an outlook beyond what’s happening at the present is an outstanding attribute. At meetings this prudent temperament is a lesson in diplomacy and pragmatism, Schneeman said.Joe is usually the last one to speak at a meeting, bringing our comments all together, speaking to the heart of the matter, she said.Then, in his classic doer-not-talker style, he is ready to go out and build, haul and move, if that’s what the solution calls for.Joe is an exceptional community volunteer, said Bruce Schwager. Clearly he is one of my heroes. Schwager says he quickly sees through the unimportant parts of an issue to its core, lending perspective to any situation.During a close All-Star game that he and Murphy coached together, Schwager remembers the girls getting excited as the scoreboard showed two extra runs for their team.Joe called time and checked our books. Then he told the ump the true score. He knew teaching honesty was more important than winning a game. Schwager says Murphy is mindful of the larger lessons in life, and what is really important, not just for today, but for all the tomorrows, too. “