If there’s something strange. . . in your neighborhood. . . who ya gonna call?

John Murphy, of course. At least if the problem is centered in Allenstown. Murphy doesn’t chase ghosts and he’s not part of a commercial enterprise that does, but he keeps a sharp lookout around town, in case anyone needs a hand.

“John is always there to help people, keep them informed of community activities,” wrote Murphy’s neighbor, Terri Allum, who nominated him for our Hometown Heroes series. “He takes care of his wife and checks in on many neighbors, even though he isn’t always in the best of health. He is a volunteer secretary of the Bear View Crossing Cooperative and does a fantastic job of sharing his wealth of information.”

Murphy is 67 and grew up in the Midwest. He fondly recalls his days working at a fast food burger place and directing the money he was given from the return of beer bottles, a nickel a bottle, to benefit muscular dystrophy. He’s lived in New Hampshire for 35 years.

He worked for 30 years in the fast food business and another 20 manufacturing antifreeze. He was modest when talking about his concern for others.

“I was speechless,” Murphy said, when he heard about his Hometown Hero selection. “I had no idea she saw me that way.”

Allum sought help through Facebook, and Murphy saw it. “She posted on the community Facebook and she was having trouble,” he said. “I volunteered. She was not that far away and she needed help.”

“I live up the street from (Allum),” Murphy continued. “I was cutting her grass because she had problems with her mower.”

Murphy removed brush and leftover stumps from Allum’s property, saying, “It was a rough area. I used the lawn tractor to cut each down for her.”

Allum noted the aches and pains that Murphy and his wife deal with on a daily basis, yet Murphy has not slowed down. He has back problems, caused by a degenerative disc. He broke his leg in three places 30 years ago, an injury that still hurts, and he may soon need knee replacement surgery.

“I try not to let it limit my mobility,” Murphy said. “I take Ibuprofen now and then to keep moving and not slow down.”

He retired at 62 to care for his wife, who suffered a brain aneurism 10 years ago, and had hip replacement surgery five years later and another in 2021.

Beyond his wife, Murphy helps the town feel close-knit. He volunteers to install speed bumps in the town park, and handle road repairs in the town park and on private roads.

He’s a giant presence on the town’s Facebook community page, searching for a neighbor who might need something. A shoveled driveway. A lawn mowed. A nugget of information. Murphy makes life easier for others, and he keeps everyone abreast of what’s happening in town.

“I post meetings and park stuff,” Murphy said, “and I also have a community page, so anything going on with something like road work, everyone will know its going on. Our members need to know.”

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