COUNCIL #6481 - MOUNT PROSPECT REMEMBERS
SK JAMES L MURPHY PGK, PFN

 

James L. “Pa” Murphy, age 91, was born into eternal life on Friday, January 13, 2023 after a brief illness. A 56-year Mount Prospect resident, Jim was preceded in death by his beloved wife Ann (Kennedy) and son Jimmy. He was the loving father of Kathleen, Colleen (CDR James P.) Keith, Mary Ellen (Dean) Papa, Mike (Kerry) and Erin (Tom) Beck; cherished “Pa” of Cassidy (Brad) Nykiel and Baby Nykiel, Colin and Kylie Kuhlmann, Kendall (Tyler) Brodeur, Ryan and Danielle Papa, Nolan, Michael Jr. and Garrett Murphy, Connor and Sam Knapp, Jordan, Kelly and Kyle Beck; friend and “Pa” to many.
Jim was born April 22, 1931, in Buffalo, NY to the late Leo and Helen (Furlong) Murphy. He attended Canisius High School and Canisius College, Class of 53, where he played hockey for the Canisius Golden Griffins and was known as Bruiser. He served the United States as Marine 1st Lieutenant from 1953 to 1955.
Jim worked as Vice President for Baird & Warner for many years managing the Des Plaines and Mount Prospect offices. He was voted the Northwest Suburban Realtor of the Year in 1990 and chaired the Ethics Committee for the Northwest Suburban Board of Realtors for over 20 years before his retirement in 1992.

Over the years, Jim was an active community member and volunteer, giving his time to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, River Trails Park District (Commissioner, 1991-2016), Knights of Columbus Council #6481 (4th Degree, Past Grand Knight, and Faithful Navigator), Mount Prospect Rotary (Past President), Westgate Condominium Association (President) for twenty-plus years, Saint Emily Parish (Usher, Lector, Eucharistic Minister, Minister of Care and founder/captain/driver of the elderly transportation program), Mount Prospect Midget Football Association (Coached his sons team for three years).

As an avid sports fan, Jim was a huge hockey fanatic who loved not only the Blackhawks, but youth developmental programs as well as various college-level teams.

Visitation Friday, January 20, from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Friedrichs Funeral Home, 320 W. Central Rd. (at Northwest Highway), Mount Prospect.

Prayers/procession from Friedrichs Funeral Home to St. Emily Church Saturday, January 21 at 10:00 am. Funeral mass at St. Emily Church, 1400 E. Central Rd., Mount Prospect, at 10:30 am. Interment All Saints Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the VA, YMCA Camp Duncan and the River Trails Park & Recreation Foundation are appreciated.

Funeral information call 847-255-7800 or www.friedrichsfh.com



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