William J. Murray

WILLIAM J. MURRAY (Bill), ESQ. - William J. Murray passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on November 20, 2016. Born in Bridgeport, CT on April 21, 1922 to the late William J. Murray and Mary Costello Murray. Bill attended Edison elementary school in Trumbull and graduated from Bassick High School in Bridgeport, CT. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Economics degree at the University of Vermont in 1943. His undergraduate Fraternity was Phi Delta Theta.

Following his service in WW11 he attended and graduated from Northwestern Law School in Chicago with a Jurist Doctorate Degree in 1946. While there Bill was president of his law school fraternity Phi Delta Phi. Bill practiced law in Stamford for over 60 years and was a sole practitioner for 53 years.

Bills professional accomplishments include: Admission to bar, 1946, Connecticut; 1951, U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut and U. S. Supreme Court; 1969, U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit; Assistant Prosecutor, Stamford City Court, 1953-1954; Corporation Counsel, City of Stamford, 1977-1978; Member of Advisory Board, Connecticut Institute for Paralegal Studies, Inc., 1983 – 1989; Member, President’s Council for Southwestern Connecticut, Sacred Heart University, 1983-1989; Attorney Trial Referee, Superior Court, State of Connecticut, 1991 – 2002; Member of the Connecticut and American Bar Associations; American Judicature Society; and American Arbitration Association (Member, Panel of Arbitrators, 1992 - 1997).

Bill was an honored and prominent member of numerous civic and legal organizations. His contributions to the community were significant, including: Kiwanis Club of Stamford, Connecticut 1948 – 2016. He was President in 1958 and Lieutenant Governor of the New England Chapter, District 13, Kiwanis International, 1959. President, Better Business Bureau, Stamford 1959-1961. Chairman, Stamford Scholarship Foundation, 1959 - 2010. President, Stamford Chamber of Commerce, 1962-1963; President, Catholic Charities of Stamford, 1963 -1965. 1976-1992, Salvation Army Advisory Board. President, Stamford-Darien Unit, American Cancer Society Advisory Board, 1968-1970, and Member, Advisory Board 1971-1974. Member, Advisory Board, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Bridgeport, 1971-1981. Member, Executive Committee, State Division of American Cancer Society, 1971-1974. Member, Board of Directors of the Stamford Symphony, Inc., 1971-1991. President, Stamford Catholic Library, 1989-1993.

Bill had several other interests, and also served as Secretary and was a Life Member of Innis Arden Golf Club; Emeritus Member of Connection State Senior Golf Association; Member of Stamford Senior Men’s Association; Member of Knights of Columbus; and Parishioner of St. Leo’s Church since 1960. He also held a private pilot’s license and logged over 500 hours of flight time on trips up and down the East coast, including various islands in the Northeast. He also was an avid golfer and played many golf courses throughout the U.S. and Ireland.

Friday, September 19, 2008 was proclaimed William “Bill” Murray Day by former Mayor Dannel Malloy in honor of his service to the community.

Bill is predeceased by his late wife, Margaret Humm Murray. He is survived by his wife, Bridget of Stamford, CT; and her four children: Eileen Catherine Kellgren and husband Mark, of Charlotte, NC; Michael Robert Brady and wife Kim, of San Francisco, CA; Susan Mary Brady, of Charlotte, NC; and Farrah Ann Brady, of Stamford, CT; and four grandchildren: Sydney Lauren Kellgren, and Cate Ryan Kellgren, of Charlotte, NC; and Caoilinn Meadow Brady and Oisin Francisco Brady of San Francisco, CA.

The family will receive friends from 4:00pm to 8:00pm on Monday, November 28th at Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home, 2900 Summer Street, Stamford, CT. A Mass to honor William will be celebrated at 10:30am on Tuesday, November 29th at St. Leo’s Catholic Church, 24 Roxbury Road, Stamford, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Bill’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – www.stjude.org. To leave an online condolence please visit www.leopgallagherstamford.com