Michael J. Murphy

Michael J. Murphy passed away on August 27, 2025, in Paoli, PA. Preceded in death by his father Michael, his mother Delia (nee Cunningham), and his beloved wife of 56 years Rose (nee Breslin). He is survived by his sons Michael (Moiya) and Mark (Becky), five grandchildren Emily, Patrick, Grace, Hugh, & Margaret, sisters Una (Dublin, Ireland) & Marie (UK), his brother Vincent (Kildare, Ireland) and many nieces and nephews in the United States, Ireland, and England.

Michael was born in Rathmines, Dublin, Ireland on May 19, 1940. He grew up in military housing outside the Cathal Brugha Barracks in Dublin as his father served in the Irish Army. He loved his summers at his Uncle Sonny and Aunt Peg’s farm in Belmont, Galway where they called him “Michael Joe.” He worked at the Stephen’s Green Club in Dublin for a time before emigrating to Philadelphia in August 1957. He was sponsored by his mother’s cousin John Mannion and his lovely wife May. After a short stint working in a cold storage warehouse in South Philadelphia, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps serving from 1959 through 1965. During this time, he met Mom and regularly hitchhiked home for the weekend from Camp LeJeune, North Carolina to spend time with her in West Philadelphia. While in the Marines, he did two Mediterranean cruises with the Marine Detachment on the USS Intrepid, deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis, served throughout the Pacific, and mustered out from Barstow, CA. He married Rose in 1965, returned to Philadelphia, and got started with PMA Insurance in 1966 because an old Marine took a chance on him. He became a Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter, and he remained in insurance until retirement working for Fred James, The Noyes Agency, Willis-Coroon, The Seltzer Company, and CLA Insurance.

He lived a life surrounded by loving family and great friends. He was Irish in his soul, but his heart was American. He loved the United States and was truly grateful for the life this country afforded him and his family. All of life’s problems were solved around his kitchen table over a drink only to be relitigated again the next time someone stopped over. There was no family event too small for Rose and Mike not to attend. They always showed up. Mike was a man of faith and was a long-time member of Saint Anastasia Parish in Newtown Square, PA. His passing leaves us with heavy hearts but we know he is happier sitting and chatting at the table with Mom in heaven.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Visitation from 10:00 – 11:00 AM Friday, September 5, 2025, at The Donohue Funeral Home, 3300 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA 19073, 610-353-6300 and to his Funeral Mass immediately following at 11:30 AM at St. Anastasia Church, 3301 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA 19073. Funeral Mass to be live streamed. Please go to: https://saintanastasia.net/mass-times and then scroll down to “YouTube Live” link. Interment to follow at SS Peter & Paul Cemetery, Springfield, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent to St. Anastasia Church, 3301 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA 19073.