Rev. John J. Murphy, 93, of Fall River died Monday April 23, 2007 at Catholic Memorial Home.
Born in Fall River, he was the son of the late Michael J. and Mary (Sarsfield) Murphy. He was a graduate of B.M.C. Durfee High School, St. Charles College in Catonsville, MD, and St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore.
Father Murphy was ordained a priest on June 3, 1939 in St. Mary's Cathedral. His assignments as Parochial Vicar included St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Provincetown, Holy Name Parish in Fall River, and St. Lawrence Parish in New Bedford. He served as Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Seekonk, St. Joseph Parish in Taunton, and Holy Name Parish in New Bedford, until his retirement in 1989. He later assisted at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in North Falmouth and St. Thomas More Parish in Somerset, before moving to the Cardinal Medeiros Residence.
Survivors include a sister, Rita F. Johnson of Riverside, RI; two nieces, Maureen Vavolotis and Kathleen Danforth; and a nephew, Michael Johnson.
He was the brother of the late Michael A. Murphy and Marie A. Murphy.
Father Murphy will be transferred to Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 121 Mount Pleasant St., New Bedford on Thursday at 4 PM, where he will lie in state until 8 PM. A Vigil Service will held at 7 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10 AM, with Bishop George W. Coleman as principal celebrant. Burial will be in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Fall River. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.