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Murphy, who died Tuesday at 85, "gave freely of himself to the town," wrote Bob Davies. "I never met anyone who was more involved in town activities."He even was a Dale Carnegie instructor.
"If you went to a town council or Board of Education meeting, you would most likely find Al in attendance," Davies added. "He shared his voice and convictions on so many issues when given the opportunity to speak -- and when he spoke, he had a way to drive home his points with a bit of humor."
"Al was the true definition of a gentleman -- soft-spoken but wise words,' said Lisa Anne Nicole Pasechnick. "He didn't just talk about things he didn't agree with, he did something about it."
Davies agreed: "Al would always make time for you. He would listen and always do what he felt was the best for others."
Born on March 19, 1932 in New York City to the late Alfred and Maryann "May" Murphy (nee Blessing), Murphy grew up in the Bronx, where he was graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School in 1949.
After getting a Bacherlor of Business degree in economics from Seton Hall University, he went on to get his MBA.
Murphy entered the U.S. Army with his lifelong friend and future brother-in-law, Gerard Carty, in July 1954.After serving time in Germany as a Radio Operator with the US Army Radio Engineers during the Korean War, he was discharged in June of 1956 and began a 37-year-old career in the phone industry.
He also married his sweetheart, Margie, that September.
Murphy worked for Bell Atlantic (Verizon) in a variety of positions, beginning as a lineman and eventually becoming director of labor relations.He and his wife first moved to Cliffside Park before settling in Hillsdale in 1961.
His career as a volunteer exploded.
First, Murphy became an EMT for the Hillsdale Volunteer Ambulance Service -- a mission that lasted 45 years.He served as mayor of Hillsdale from 1980-1988, part of it as president of president of the Pascack Valley Mayors Association.
He also served terms on both the local and regional school boards, was re-elected to several terms as a councilman and was a trustee on at the Hillsdale House (HUD).
Murphy was an active parishioner at St. John the Baptist Church in Hillsdale, a devout member of the Holy Name Society and a member of the 50+ club.
He also was on the local Draft Board and served as the public relations officer for local American Legion Post #162.
Predeceased by his parents, Murphy leaves his wife of 51 years, Margaret "Margie" (nee Reilly) and children of Alfred of Dover, Maryann and Danny Prendergast of Woodcliff Lake, Thomas and his wife Jane of Pleasantville, NY, Theresa Murphy and Mike Korinko of Fair Lawn, and Matthew and his wife Sarah of Hillsdale, as well as sister Mary Hanley and brother James Murphy.
Visiting hours hours were scheduled from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Sunday and Monday at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road in Westwood, NJ.
A Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. John the Baptist, followed by interment in St. Luke's Cemetery in Ho-Ho-Kus.
The family would appreciate memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, to Hillsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps or the Parish of St. John the Baptist.
VIEW OBITUARY (BECKER FUNERAL HOME):
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