Rev. James F. Murphy, C.S.C., 92, died at Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, Ind. on October 29, 2023 after a short illness.
Fr. Murphy was born to William and Catherine (Nelson) in South Boston, MA, on January 31, 1931. He was the youngest of ten children. Fr. Murphy attended Stonehill College earning a bachelor’s degree in 1954. Fr. Murphy entered the Novitiate at North Dartmouth, Mass., where he made first vows on August 16, 1952, professed final vows on August 16, 1955 and was ordained a Holy Cross priest on June 5, 1958. In 1962, Fr. Murphy earned his Master’s Degree in Education from Fairfield University.
From 1958 to 1967, Fr. Murphy served at Notre Dame High School in Fairfield, Conn.; first as a teacher and then as a principal. In 1967, Fr. Murphy was appointed Director of Religious Education at Holy Cross Novitiate in Bennington, Vt. He held that position until he became Director of Vocations of the Eastern Province of Priests in 1971. In 1974, he returned to Notre Dame High School as an Assistant Principal until 1977. From 1977 to 1992, Fr. Murphy served as Director of Retreats where he spent his time conducting retreats throughout New England and Canada. From 1992-1996, Fr. Murphy was assigned to Associate Pastor at Most Holy Trinity Parish in Saco, Maine. In 1996, he served as Chaplain at the Marie Joseph Retreat House before residing at Christopher Lodge in Cocoa Beach, Fla., beginning in 2002. In 2019, Fr. Murphy moved to Holy Cross House in Notre Dame, Ind.
Fr. Murphy was preceded in death by his parents and all his brothers and sisters. He is survived by many nieces and nephews and numerous grand nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. EST at the Chapel of Mary located on Stonehill College campus in North Easton, Mass. on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, with a Funeral Mass following at 10:00 a.m. EST. You may also join us via livestream at https://www.stonehill.edu/offices-and- services/campus-ministry/upcoming-events/
Burial will be in the community cemetery in Easton, Massachusetts. Kane Funeral Home, Easton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Memorial contributions in support of the mission and ministries of the Congregation of Holy Cross can be made to: United States Province of Priests and Brothers, Office of Advancement, 500 Washington Street, North Easton, MA, 02356-1299 or online at https://donate.holycrossusa.org.
