M. Murphy était vétéran de la deuxième guerre mondiale et membre de la Légion royale canadienne, filiale 21 de Grand-Sault.

A veteran of World War II, Howard attained the rank of Corporal. Following the military career, he relocated to Toronto where he worked for Dominion Glass Co. and MacDonald Douglas Aircraft Mfg. Retiring in 1988 to his childhood home in Argosy.