James E. Murphy

MURPHY, JAMES EVANS, 95, of Austin, Texas, died peacefully on Monday, June 3, 2024, at home surrounded by family, including many of his children and grandchildren and most beloved of all, his wife of 68 years, Corinne. He was a devoted, loyal and sentimental husband, father, son, brother and friend; devout Catholic; hardworking and business savvy attorney.

James was born June 28, 1928, to James C. Murphy and Mildrena Murphy of East Providence, Rhode Island. He is survived by his sister Janice Gilligan of Sarasota, FL and was predeceased by sister Carole Flynn and brother Robert Murphy. He attended LaSalle Academy, where he excelled in both track and cross country earning him a scholarship to the University of Notre Dame. He was named to the All American College and University Cross Country Team in 1948. Graduating in 1949, he continued his education at Georgetown University Law School. Jim joined the Coast Guard in 1952 and served until 1954. He moved back to Rhode Island to begin his law career, working for his esteemed mentor, Cornelius Moore, in Newport, Rhode Island and meeting the woman who would forever be the center of his attention and heart, Corinne O’Brien. They married on August 6, 1955, and settled in Warren, Rhode Island.

By 1960, he and Corinne had set up home at 906 Main Street, where the family grew from only four children at move-in to nine by 1978. During these years as a new Warrenite, he was a very active citizen as a member of the Warren School Committee in 1956, the Warren High School Building Committee from 1956-1957, Town Solicitor from 1958-1960, Probate Judge for the Town of Warren from 1961-1964, as well as serving on the Zoning Revision Committee. He founded the law firm Carroll, Kelly and Murphy with Ambrose Carroll and his best friend, Joe Kelly. Most of his work was in estate law and he was the partner with chief responsibility for the firm’s operations. As his family grew in age and size, his volunteer activities shifted to church and schools. He was a Trustee of his parish, St. Mary of the Bay; a member of the Board of Consultants for the Portsmouth Abbey; and Legal Counsel to St. Philomena’s School as well as his own alma mater’s alumni association for varsity athletes, the Notre Dame Monogram Club. He was a member at Pawtucket Country Club and later in life, the Rhode Island Country Club.

In later years, he and Corinne spent winters in Fort Myers, Florida. His sister Carole and close friends the Healeys and Kellys wintered there too and they had many good times at the Forest Country Club. In 2005 Corinne and he moved to Austin, Texas, where they enjoyed many years as members of the Onion Creek Country Club. His final years were spent in the loving home of his daughter Eileen and her husband Sean Compton. The entire family is overwhelmingly grateful to Eileen and her family for their love, patience, generosity, grace, hospitality and meals. These were given not only to their parents, but also to all who were frequent visitors to their home.

When asked in his 90s what he felt was his greatest accomplishment, James said it was the family he and Mom created, which includes nine children, 18 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. He is survived, loved and will always be cherished by them: James E. Murphy, Jr. and his wife Elizabeth of Lexington, VA; Mary Ellen Russell and her husband George of Annapolis, MD; John O’Brien Murphy of Austin, TX; Sheila Buckley and her husband Jay of Bristol, RI; Kathleen Murphy and her husband Richard Skinner of Austin, TX; Eileen Compton and her husband Sean of Austin, TX; Patricia Murphy of Austin, TX; Cornelius (“Neil”) Moore Murphy and his wife Cathy of Oakbrook, IL; and Meghan Murphy and Christian Harris of Austin, TX.

The family will gather for a Mass of Remembrance on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at 11 a.m. at St. Ignatius Martyr Church, 2309 Euclid Ave., Austin, Tx, 78704, to which relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours will be on Friday, June 7, 2024 from 7-9 p.m. at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 5416 Parkcrest Drive, Austin, TX 78731.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary of the Bay Church, 645 Main Street, Warren, RI on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at 11 a.m. followed by a committal service at the church cemetery.

Memorial donations can be made to Misericordia using this link: https://www.misericordia.com/giving/donate-online/ or by mailing a check to Misericordia, 6300 North Ridge, Chicago IL 60660. Please visit https://www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/weed-corley-fish for any further information or to offer online condolences.