Obituary of Donald Dunphy, Jr.

Don Dunphy, Jr., a former Vice President of ABC News, died on March 16, 2024 at his home in Manhasset, NY after a long illness.  He was surrounded by his loving family.  Mr. Dunphy was born in New York City on June 5, 1943.  He was the son of the famous Hall of Fame sports announcer, Don Dunphy, “The Voice of Boxing.”  Mr. Dunphy had a 41 year career at ABC Television.  He spent 16 years with WABC-TV where he worked for Al Primo, the creator of the “Eyewitness News” format.  At that time, WABC-TV was the number one newscast in New York and held the highest ratings in the station’s history. Mr. Dunphy produced WABC’s “Eyewitness News” coverage of such events as the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York; the return of the American hostages from Iran in 1981; the election and installation of Popes John Paul I and John Paul II; and Pope John Paul II’s visit to New York and Ireland in 1979.  He was responsible for the ”Eyewitness News” political coverage from 1966 to 1980, including the national political conventions and presidential inaugurations.  Mr. Dunphy joined the ABC network in 1981 where he created NewsOne, the affiliate news service of ABC News, which served ABC’s affiliates and international broadcasters.  He was responsible for developing ABSAT, ABC’s affiliate mobile satellite news gathering network and started the ABC Affiliate News Director Advisory Board to enhance the relationship between the network and its affiliated stations.  From 1985 to 2004, Mr. Dunphy oversaw NewsOne operations in New York, Washington, DC, Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles and London, and during that time coordinated ABSAT’s conversion from analog to digital distribution service.   After retiring in 2005, Mr. Dunphy enjoyed being with his family, traveling the world and playing golf.  He was a past member of the Board of Governors at North Hempstead Country Club in Port Washington, NY and Chairman of that club’s Centennial Committee which was celebrated in 2016.  A 1964 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Mr. Dunphy is survived by his loving wife, Sheila, three children - Deirdre (Matt Hill), Tara (Jim Conroy), Donald, III, six grandchildren (Liam, Declan and Ryan Hill, Alyce, Brady and Erin Conroy), his brother Bob Dunphy and a large extended family of in-laws, nieces and nephews.  A funeral Mass will be held at the Church of St. Mary, Manhasset on Monday, March 25. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Parish Social Ministry, Church of St. Mary, 1300 Northern Blvd., Manhasset, NY 11030 or to Hospice Care Network, 99 Sunnyside Blvd., Woodbury, NY 11797.