Frederick J. Murphy

Frederick  (Fred) J. Murphy, aged 92, from Mahwah, NJ and Vero Beach, Florida, passed away in his sleep, on June 26, 2024.  Fred was born on March 31, 1932, in Providence, Rhode Island.  Raised by his single mother, Ruth Grady Murphy, alongside his four sisters, they taught him the fine arts of fortitude, fancy footwork, and how to navigate a bathroom monopolized by hairpins and perfume.  As the only male, in a family of women, he often said if he could survive that – he could survive anything.              

Fred's academic journey began at La Salle Academy in Providence, Rhode Island, where he excelled both in academics and in sports, and won numerous thespian awards.  He attended Catholic University of America in Washington DC.  As the story goes, his sister Barbara gave him the money to pay for his first year of college.  With a little help from his friends in the Marines, the GI Bill, and a full scholarship, Fred received his JD from Cornell Law School.

He started his career at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office under Frank Hogan.  He often said that this was the best job one could ever have.   He later formed his own law firm, Frederick J. Murphy & Associates in Goshen NY.  He loved the law and loved being a lawyer.

Growing up, during the depression, in a single parent household, life was not always easy.  His brother-in law, Andre Thibault, whom he looked to as a father figure, frequently rescued dad from his many misadventures and always with unconditional love and support. Fred often said that a summer spent at Hopkin Hill RI with his Uncle Ralph was a life-changing event for him. During these early years, he was also camp counselor at Boys Town, joined a Monastery for a summer, and even scooped ice cream for a time.

He met his wife Barabra on a blind date in Breezy Point, NY on Labor Day.  After that night, Barbara knew this was the man for her, and they were married in 1956. They had 4 children, supported each other, loved each other, and when not at home, they traveled the world together.  They attended classes at Oxford, saw Italy, Spain, England, France, Germany, Russia, Ireland, Portugal, China, Egypt, cruised down the Amazon and the Nile.  

Fred became a wine connoisseur, who learned to find great wines at even better prices.  He learned to sail and became a fantastic golfer. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Barbara Messina Murphy, and their children, Sean J Murphy, Christopher J Murphy, Janine Murphy Cheresnick (Cal Feingold), Michael Cheresnick, and Sally Murphy Coughlin (Sean Coughlin). He was a cherished grandfather to William, Ryan (Lissette), Jonathan (Jessica), Rebekah, Brendan, Brigid, and Anna Marie and cherished great grandfather to his precious great-granddaughters, Fig and Pippa. Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth Grady Murphy and Frederick J Murphy, and his sisters, Ruth, Barbara, Claire, and Avis.

Visitation will be held on Monday, July 1, 2024, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at the Van Emburgh Funeral Home, 109 Darlington Avenue, Ramsey, NJ. A Funeral Mass is scheduled for Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at 10:00 AM at Church of the Presentation, 271 W Saddle River Rd, Upper Saddle River, NJ, followed by interment at Maryrest Cemetery & Mausoleum, 770 Darlington Ave, Mahwah, NJ.

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