Rev. Timothy J. Murphy
Deceased: 2017-11-08
Diocese: BOSTON
ICTE Spring: 1995
Reverend Timothy Joseph Murphy Jr., 80, Pastor Emeritus of the Immaculate Conception Church in Salem, a resident of Regina Cleri, Boston, died Wednesday, November 8, 2017, at his home.
Born in Somerville, he was the son of the late Timothy J. Sr. and Margaret (Scully) Murphy. He was raised and educated in Somerville and was a graduate of Boston College High School, Class of 1955. Father continued his education attending Boston College from 1955 to 1957 and entered St. John’s Seminary in 1957. He was ordained February 2, 1963, by Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Riley at St. Agnes Church in Arlington.
Father Murphy’s early assignments were at St. Jerome Church in North Weymouth (1963-1966), St. Anthony’s Church in Allston (1966-1977), St Angela’s Church in Mattapan (1977-1995). He was made Pastor of St. Angela’s in 1979 by Bernard Cardinal Law, Archbishop of Boston and served in that role for 15 years. He was appointed Pastor of the Immaculate Conception Church in Salem in 1995 and would serve until his retirement 2013. As Pastor of the Immaculate he would lead the church through many changes with great dignity and confidence. He would usher in a new and prosperous time in his parish and made his church welcome to all backgrounds and ethnicities. He was beloved by the Salem Community as a whole and will always be remembered as a steadfast leader in changing times.
A truly devoted religious man, Father Murphy dedicated his time to many missions and spreading the word of the Lord. He was a devoted supporter for many years of the Mariapolis Luminosa – Focolare Movement of a society renewed in the Gospel message of unity in Hyde Park, New York. He mentored many young priests through their years in seminary and as young curates. He would also mentor and assist foreign language priests in Massachusetts and delayed vocation priests making them part of his extended faith family and always be there to support them on their spiritual journey. His priestly legacy will live on through them.
He loved to spread the word of the Lord and the Catholic Faith. He lead many day trips and pilgrimages to Lourdes, Fatima, Quebec, Rome and Ireland and took church groups to World Youth Day on multiple occasions. He supported many missions over the years and spent time assisting his dear friend Rev. Thomas F. Oates at his missions in Guayaquil, Equador.
In his retirement father continued his ministry assisting as senior priest in residence at St. Mary’s Parish in Cambridge and St. Mary’s Parish in Waltham. He was a dedicated servant of the Lord and loved to help those in need. Father Murphy was Irish through and through and quite proud of his heritage. He was the very picture of a down-to-earth parish priest who talked plainly, but also had a very practical and deep faith that he neither hid nor paraded. He was steadfast in word and deed and was foremost about serving God, the Gospel, his parish and his people. His legacy of faith, commitment and charity will be his everlasting hallmarks.
Fr. Murphy is survived by his sister, Maureen Sheehan of Wilmington; his nieces, Kerry Sheehan of Wilmington and Beth Rooney and her husband, Mickey of Wilmington; his nephew, Thomas Sheehan III of Hull; his grandniece, Caroline Rooney; and grandnephews, Brendan Sheehan, Liam Rooney, Colin Rooney and Charles Rooney. He was the brother of the late Jerimiah “Jerry” Murphy, Timothy Murphy and Dennis Murphy. Fr. Murphy leaves behind many cousins, dear friends and parishioners who will forever lovingly, graciously and spiritually remember him.
His funeral Mass will be celebrated in the Immaculate Conception Church, of Mary Queen of the Apostle Parish, Hawthorne Blvd., Salem, Thursday, November 16, at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends invited. His Eminence Sean P. Cardinal O’Malley OFM Cap., Principal Celebrant. Burial in Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington. Visiting hours will be held at Regina Cleri Residence, 60 William Cardinal O’Connell Way, Boston on Tuesday, November 14, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. and also at the Immaculate Conception Church, Hawthorne Blvd., Salem, on Wednesday, November 15, from 4 to 7 p.m. Assisting the family with the arrangements is The O’Donnell Funeral Home, 46 Washington Sq. (at Salem Common), Salem.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Regina Cleri Residence, 60 William Cardinal O’Connell Way, Boston, MA 02114.
