James Matthew (Matt) Murphy, 71, died Sunday night in his home, after fighting cancer for several years.

Matt lived for his wife and family. He's survived by his wife, Jackie; brother, John (Jenny); and three sons, Mark (Suellen), Rick (Janene), and Chris (Katie). There's nothing he wouldn't do for his 11 grandchildren: Erin, Patrick, Jack, Kevin, Grace, Robin, Scott, Joe, Elizabeth, Celia, and Annmarie.

Matt and Jackie's biggest joy was to visit and watch their grandchildren participate in their activities. Matt and Jackie also loved to travel, visiting Europe, Australia, and throughout the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. Matt love the outdoors, especially hiking and skiing. He spent many years as one of the leaders for Boy Scout Troop 140 in Buffalo Grove, Ill., leading two trips to Philmont with his sons, canoe trips down the Wisconsin River, and countless weekend campouts. In recent years, he shared his passion for the outdoors as a volunteer at the Devil's Lake State Park Nature Center and the Aldo Leopold Foundation. Matt also volunteered as president of the St. Vincent DePaul Society in Sauk City, Wis., sharing his decades of experience in retail.

Matt's family is forever grateful to the caregivers who did so much for Matt at the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center. Memorials may be made to the Dr. Paul Carbone Legacy/Cancer Research Tower Fund, or the St. Vincent DePaul Society in Sauk City.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. ALOYSIUS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 115 Madison St., Sauk City, at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 17, 2009 with Fr. William A. Seipp officiating. Burial will be in St. Aloysius Cemetery. Friends may call at HOOVERSON FUNERAL HOME, 251 Water St., Sauk City, from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45am.