Obituary of James Murphy

August 15, 1946 – July 16, 2024

James Murphy, 77, passed away Tuesday July 16, 2024, at Upstate Hospital. Born August 15, 1946, in Buffalo, New York the son of the late James and Mary Schwab Murphy. Jim grew up in Buffalo and graduated from Cardinal O’Hara High School. After High School, he was proud to be sworn into the Air Force Reserves by his father. After two years, he began his 36-year career with Niagara Mohawk. In 1970 he married Lucy Newton and began a family. In 1972 they settled in Virgil with with two toddlers, two babies and a dog. The family attended St. Mary’s Church in Cortland where Jim served as Eucharistic Minister, CCD Teacher, PreCana Facilitator and a trustee. He was on the financial committee and the Building and Grounds committee.

In Virgil he joined the Fire Department, served on the Youth Commission, the Town Board, Board of Appeals and the Cemetery Board. In Cortland he was on the Economic Development Committee and the Soil and Water Board.

Jim is survived by 3 brothers Dr. Timothy (Donna) Murphy, Peter (Michele)Murphy, Paul (Lyn) Murphy and 3 sisters Mary (Smeraldo) DeRosa, Sally (David) Haynes, Patricia (Jeff Scottow).
He is survived by his wife, Lucy, two sons, James W. (Kason Temple) and John P., four daughters Jeanne-Marie (Tom) Kavanagh, Colleen (John) Brady, Laura (Jeff) Malczon, Allison (Sean) Cryan, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He is survived by 16 nephews, 15 nieces and 18 cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday August 3, 2024, at 10:00 am in St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church.

The Family will be present to receive friends on Friday August 2, 2024, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm in the Chapel of Riccardi Funeral Home 69 North Main Street, Cortland NY. Those who choose to honor Jim’s Memory in the form of a contribution are asked to please consider, St. Mary’s School 61 N. Main Street, Cortland, NY or St. Mary’s Church 59 N. Main St, Cortland.