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Patrick Murphy
Woodworking Repair Coach
Cafes: Esopus, Gardiner, Kingston, New Paltz, Rondout Valley
Patrick Murphy has been a carpenter and home builder for almost 40 years. He’s currently the owner and general contractor at BuildingLogic Inc., which builds residential, energy efficient single-family homes while producing as little waste as possible. “We are ‘green’ builders that help people save money on their long-term operational costs by building more insulated, quieter, healthier, energy efficient homes that will be a pleasure to spend time in.”
Patrick’s love of repair comes from growing up on a farm and fixing everything needed to keep it all going alongside his father. “I sit at the ‘things made of wood’ table but I will try to fix almost anything.” And despite his years of building experience, Patrick says his specialty isn’t really woodworking—it’s engaging with the people he’s helping. “I like to show them tips and techniques to make their repairs at home better. I also try to make the process as fun and interesting as possible.” Having had the great pleasure of getting to know Patrick, I would heartily agree. Patrick and I first met after he heard that RCHV had an opportunity to put on a Repair Café live on The Today Show Plaza in New York City last April and needed some logistical help to make it happen. He called me up and offered to drive a trailer of items in need of repair that he would collect in Ulster to my house in Westchester, and THEN drive us to The Today Show set. At 4am. On set, he managed to engage—as well as charm--the producers and crew alike, helping to make for one fun and memorable day in NYC.
Patrick has a long history of giving back to his community. He’s been volunteering since high school with the Jaycees and as a volunteer firefighter. When he got married, moved to Ulster County and had children, he became the dad who coached youth soccer, basketball, flag football, Little League and Babe Ruth. And after his 4 children left the nest, he was feeling the need to find something new he could lend his time to. So when he read about the first repair cafe in the Hudson Valley in the New Paltz Times in 2013, he couldn't help but think that it was made for him. “John Wackman was written up in the paper, talking about this wonderful organization. After meeting him and seeing the value of the café to our local people, I immediately latched onto it as my way of giving back to the community. I think I might have missed the first 2 or 3 New Paltz events but have been a steady follower ever since.”
And as for his future plans? Patrick quips, “I'm not retired, I'm just tired. I've been a carpentry contractor for several decades having built some fancy, artistic, eclectic, and even huge homes as well as more modest regular ranch style or colonials and even throw in some condos in town houses along the way. My work approach is this, I like to make a personal connection with the people I'm working for and give them exactly what they want.” When he’s not at a repair café or building homes, you might find Patrick playing softball alongside his 32-year-old son or volunteering on the Kingston Kez National Conference and Competition Committee which hosts the National Kezurokai conference and competition for Japanese woodworking. They, and we, are all lucky to have him!
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