NEW YORK, NY—Craig R. Murphey 26, of New York City, and a former Franklin resident died Thursday Oct. 18, 2007 from injuries he received in a cycling accident. He was the beloved son of Robert W. and Janice L. (Wilhelms) Murphey of Franklin.
Born September 3, 1981 in Richmond, Virginia he lived in the Virginia area and Westchester, Ohio before his family settled in Franklin.
Educated in Virginia and Ohio he was a graduate of Franklin High School class of 1999 and graduated Bridgewater State College cum laude with department honors with a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communications in January 2004. While attending college he was president of the campus chapter of the National Communication Honor Society, Lambda Pi Eta. He was twice the recipient of the Adrian Tinsley Undergraduate Research Award. Craig also interned at the Talk Radio News Service through the Washington Center Internship Program in Washington, DC. He was a 4 year member of the steering committee for the Coalition for Social Justice.
After he graduated from college he moved to New York, where he began working as a AmeriCorps Vista volunteer at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Devine, where he was instrumental in starting numerous groups and organizations, his main tasks were to strengthen the Upper West Side Colloquium Against Poverty, which consisted of about 5 emergency food providers in the Morningside Heights/West Harlem area, his efforts did not go unnoticed, with help from others he formed the West Harlem Action Network Against Poverty, which connects people of various income levels to soup kitchens and food pantries.
Passionate about hunger issues, he understood that combating this issue was not just about feeding people, but that it involved getting the freshest and best nutrition to everyone regardless of one’s income. Each week he sent out the “Feed the Solution” newsletter that informed church leaders, program heads and volunteers about the issues of hunger and the advocacy work needed to change the issues that lead to hunger.
He also started a volunteer service called Right Rides for Women’s Safety, a service that was available to walk women home late at night.
He will be remembered as an active listener who would let you know that he understood when he gave his beautiful smile and someone who was the embodiment of what social justice means and always willing to lend a hand to anyone who needed one.
His interests also included music, art, running, reading, being a devout vegan, cycling and passionate about ending cruelty to animals.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by a sister Jeni Haskell of East Taunton, his maternal grandparents Robert W. and Virginia (Mar) Wilhelms of Roanoke, Virginia and his paternal grandmother Margaret M. (Moss) Murphey of Tennessee. He is also survived by several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He was the grandson of the late Wilbur A. Murphey.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life Service on Tuesday Oct. 23, 2007 at 1PM in the Charles F. Oteri and Son Franklin Funeral Home 33 Cottage St. (www.franklinfuneral.com). Interment is private.
Calling hours are Monday Oct. 22, 2007 from 5-8PM at the funeral home.
If lieu of flowers donations in his memory sent to Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine C/O Cathedral Community Care Program in memory of Craig Murphey 1047 Amsterdam Ave. New York, NY 10025 would be appreciated.