John A. Murphy, 72; Brewing Chief Unveiled ‘It’s Miller Time’

John A. Murphy, 72, former president of Miller Brewing Co. who introduced Miller Lite and adopted the blue-collar slogan “It’s Miller time,” died Sunday in Glen Head, N.Y., of complications after surgery for an aneurysm.

Murphy joined Philip Morris, parent company of the country’s second-largest brewer, in 1962 as assistant general counsel. He was named Miller president in 1971 and was credited with building the Milwaukee company into a world-class brewer.

With Miller Lite, he helped pioneer sales of beer with fewer calories to increase the beverage’s appeal to a younger, active market. Former Miller President Warren Dunn called Murphy “the father of Miller Lite.” An affable, outgoing Irish American, Murphy also liked the slogan “It’s Miller time” and made it a familiar phrase nationwide.

Murphy served as Miller Brewing chairman of the board, then was named president of Philip Morris in 1984. He became vice chairman of the parent company in 1991, and retired the next year. South African Breweries is now in the process of acquiring Miller from Philip Morris.