Michael J. Murphy

Michael Joseph Murphy, a resident of Congers, NY passed away peacefully at the age of 87 years old on December 20, 2018. Michael was born on February 28, 1931 in Manhattan, NY to Michael and Mary (nee Sullivan) Murphy of Co. Kerry, Ireland.

Michael is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Collette (nee Wray) with whom he raised seven children. He was a devoted father and is mourned by his son Michael and his wife Maureen Murphy, his daughter Dianne and her husband George Stokes, his daughter Eileen and her husband Scott Sullivan, his daughter Colleen and her husband Paul Kearns, his daughter Collette and her husband Stephen Couper, and his daughter Kathryn and her husband Michael O’Donnell. Michael truly enjoyed spending time with his fourteen grandchildren, Kevin, Kieran and Kaelyn Stokes, Michael and Courtney Murphy, Deaglan, Ronan and Maeve O’Donnell, Aedan and Mairead Kearns, James and Andrew Sullivan, Colin and Evelyn Couper. Michael is preceded in death by his son, Kevin, his brother, Thomas and his sister, Maureen. He is survived by his brothers John, Charles, and Jeremiah, as well as many devoted nieces and nephews.

Michael lived a life of service to others, proudly serving his country in the United States Army from 1951-1953. Michael spent his career as a New York City Police Officer Serving the 32 Precinct with courage and commitment from 1955-1981. Upon his retirement from the NYPD, Michael worked for the United States Postal Service from 1981-1991.

Michael was a man of strong faith blessed with a keen Irish wit, a quiet strength and compassion, a fondness for Gaelic sports, and a love of Irish music and dance. Michael displayed great strength of character throughout his life and especially during his courageous twenty five year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Always with a smile on his face, never a complaint, he remained strong, faithful and dignified throughout his final days.

Visitation will be held at Michael J. Higgins Funeral Home, 113 Lake Road East, Congers, NY on Sunday, December 23 from 2-4 pmand 7-9 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Paul’s Church in Congers on Monday, December 24 at 10 am. Internment will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery in Congers.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the NYC PBA Widows and Childrens Fund, sent to Patrick Hendry at the Patrolman’s Benevolent Association, 125 Broad Street, New York, New York 10004-2400, http://www.nycpba.org/community/widows-and-childrens-fund. ; or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, https://www.michaeljfox.org/.