Born in New York City, he was the son of James J. Murphy and Bridget McVey Murphy. He married Elizabeth Gansert on Nov. 20 1941, at St. Luke’s Church in the Bronx.
Murphy worked as an agent for Allstate Insurance Co. for 34 years. In 1951, he was named the No. 1 Allstate agent in the United States and Canada. Murphy and his family moved to Crestwood in 1954.
In 1980, Murphy became the owner of Rockfish River Farm in Esmont, Va., where he started a new career as a cattle breeder. He also grew Loblolly pine trees used for pulp production. Over a three-year period. Murphy planted more than 17,000 trees.
Murphy was a member of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher and the Knight of Columbus. He was also a trustee at Elizabeth Seton College and a life member and steward of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in New York City. Murphy and his wife were supporters of the right to life movement and took several trips to Washington, D.C., to attend the March for Life.
Murphy is survived by his wife; five children, Bettyann, Brian (Senta), Rita, Kathleen (Raymond) Coleman and John (Catherine); and nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by two sons, James C. Murphy Jr. and Kevin J. Murphy; and a grandson, Peter Esposito.
Visitation is 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Flynn Memorial Home in Yonkers. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Annunciation Church in Crestwood. Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Human Life Foundation, 353 Lexington Ave., New York, NY 10016, or Jansen Hospice, 670 White Plains Road, Scarsdale, NY10583.
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