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Rev. Lawrence Murphy

Lawrence Murphy Obituary

Murphy, Rev. Lawrence
Greece: Reverend Lawrence Vincent Murphy, who served the people of the Diocese of Rochester for more than fifty years, died on Wednesday, October 22nd at the age of 77. Fr. Murphy is predeceased by his parents, Vincent and Susan Murphy. He is survived by his brother priests and beloved parishioners.
Father Murphy served in many roles including as pastor of the Church of the Resurrection, Holy Rosary and Most Precious Blood, and in retirement at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Many were comforted through his ministry as chaplain for 14 years at Genesee Hospital and as a volunteer at Isaiah House. For more information about Fr. Murphy, visit www.aliferemembered.com
Calling hours for Fr. Murphy will take place at Bartolomeo & Perotto Funeral Home, Inc., 1411 Vintage Lane on Sunday, October 26th from 1-4:30 PM. Father will lie in state later on Sunday at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 296 Flower City Park at 6:30 PM with Evening Prayer at 7:30 PM with Bishop James Moynihan of Syracuse presiding. On Monday, October 27, Father will lie in state from 9-11 AM with his Funeral Liturgy at 11 AM with Bishop Matthew H. Clark presiding. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Sacred Heart Cathedral, 296 Flower City Park, Rochester, NY 14615 or Isaiah House, 71 Prince St., Rochester, NY 14607, in Father's memory.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Rochester Democrat And Chronicle from Oct. 24 to Oct. 26, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Lawrence Murphy

21 Entries

Phil and Jean Mucenski

November 1, 2008

We met Murph at Resurrection and were captivated by his sincerity and love for children. He was inspirational in how he carried himself and a model for being Christ like in everyday life. His impact on our family was and is profound. We are most appreciative of how he interacted with the children of the parish and especially our daughter Sarah.
Jean and I are both of the opinion that he gave the best sermons on Sunday and that they were always from the heart.
Murph, we truly loved you and your service to God and mankind; you will be missed.

Michael Smith

October 31, 2008

It's difficult to imagine that Father Murphy is no longer with us. He was my teacher and counselor while I was a student at St. Andrew's, later King's Preparatory. A more vibrant and gentler man cannot be imagined. I am certain that there was great rejoicing in Heaven when he arrived. His memory will be cherished by all who knew him.

Sean Escoffery

October 27, 2008

Today our friend The Murph was put to rest. He worked at Genesse Hospital with my folks for many years. He was a great man and friend to all of us. I wished I had taken time this year to see him one last time. We knew as The Murph since he was more than a friend, he was family. My deepest sympathy to those who knew this wonderful and passionate man who feel this great lost. God bless you Murph
R. Sean Escoffery ( Toronto, Canada)

Judy Smith

October 27, 2008

I knew "Murph" when he was Pastor of the Church of the Resurrection in Fairport. He was my spirtual adviser and my friend. For the children of the Parish, he was a kindly example of Christ on earth. He left an imprint on this world and he will be missed.
Godspeed, Murph.....

Gene Sweeney

October 27, 2008

I first met "Murph" when he was the Chaplain at Genesee Hospital in the 1980's. He was not only my priest but a very dear friend. As Pastor of the Church of the Resurrection, he performed the funeral mass for my first wife. Then in 1993, he performed Lorraine's and my wedding ceremony. I would stay with him at the Holy Rosary Church rectory whenever I visited Rochester. Our most recent visit with him, and unfortunately our last, was to have dinner with him in July of this year. We will sadly miss his soothing voice, his sweet nature and a very dear friend. May he rest in peace. Your friends, "Geno"...& Lorraine

James Moynihan

October 27, 2008

Father Murphy first entered my life in 1965 when I was a freshman seminarian at St. Andrew's Seminary. He soon became a giant of a man in my life and that of so many of my classmates and other persons whose lives he touched over the years.

Father Murphy was definitely a man among men and we were most fortunate to have had the opportunity to encounter him along the way in our own lives. I am sure he is amongst the saints today.

Murph was a great athlete/coach/teacher/priest and friend. I consider myself blessed to have had the opportunity to get to know him during his time here on Terra Firma. Murph has run a a good race and I am sure is with God today. Murph, welcome home !!!!

the Fighting Irish won for you this weekend to send you out of here on a winning note !!!

God bless you and all of us.

Yours in Notre Dame,

Requiem in Pacem !!!

Jim and Hiroko Moynihan, class of 1969, St.Andrew's Seminary/King's Preparatory and University of Notre Dame '73
Tokyo, Japan

Mary Jo Torrey (Kolb)

October 26, 2008

What a truly wonderful, and compassionate man. I will always remember his kindness to our family. He seemed to understand everyone, especially children. I saw him for the first time last year in 35 years and his smile and wamness had not changed. Rest in Peace.

John McMullen

October 26, 2008

We met Fr. Murphy last Dec as we were visiting family in Rochester. We had the pleasure of attending his Noon Mass & then meeting him as he escorted us on the new Cathedral. What a blessed man he was to us & such a welcoming priest. We pray he will see our families & give them our love.
John & Muffie (Petrillo) McMullen, San Diego Calif.

John Wagner

October 25, 2008

"You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek." May Father's soul now rest in the peace of Christ, the Eternal High Priest whom he served.

Tom and Eileen Scrimale

October 25, 2008

Fr. Murphy, you were a great help and inspiration to us during both the high and low points in our lives. You will be greatly missed.

Tom and Eileen

Tim & Nancy Hughes

October 25, 2008

The passing of Father Murphy is a sad occasion for us all. He was a great pastor and friend to our family. He presided at two of our daughters' weddings, including one at his beloved "home of the Fighting Irish," the University of Notre Dame. He will be missed as the celebrant of the annual Family Mass for the Rochester Notre Dame Alumni Club. We'll miss you Murph, but are consoled that you're now in the arms of the Blessed Mother and her Son.

Jean Dolan

October 25, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
I knew Father from the Genesee Hosp. I was an LPN on North Wing 4.
I have many fond menories of him.

Fred and Mary Grimaldi

October 24, 2008

My deepest sympathy to hear the loss of a dear friend. Father Murphy was an outstanding priest who will be greatly missed. We have known each other for 60 years. God Bless his soul.

Natalie Anderson

October 24, 2008

As the former Executive Director of Camp Stella Maris, I always enjoyed when Fr. Murphy celebrated mass with our campers and staff. He was beloved by all, and will truly be missed.

Karen Kruspe

October 24, 2008

I was in 4th grade at Sacred Heart School when Father Murphy joined the parish. He was the best Priest ever. I can still see him dressed in a gorilla suit passing out Christmas candy to all the kids. Always smiling, always willing to be there for you. There's no other Priest out there like Father Murphy and never will be. You are missed.

Patrick Klier

October 24, 2008

Fr Murphy was a great friend of the family for years. I first met him at St John the Evangelist. He was fresh out the seminary and me a first grade student. He was a tall young man with an arm reach like a giant oak and a ball in each hand when he came out to play with kids during recess. My folks invited him out to the house for dinner as they did many times for all of the priests they knew and it wasn?t long before dinner turned into a golf lesson out back. Fr. Murphy was a good athlete growing up and was developing a keen interest in the game of golf although his responsibilities limited the time he could learn and play the game. Over the years there were many more dinners and golf lessons even though we were all going in different directions. In 1966 we crossed paths again at St Andrews Seminary. I was starting my first year there and he was there as our spiritual director. We spent the next 4 years there together, me the student and he the teacher. During those 4 years, the school was revolutionized by its faculty and students in a combined effort that produced one of the strongest spiritual bodies I have ever experienced. Although the school then called Kings Preparatory was short lived, the students still reunite on a yearly basis to celebrate and give thanks for those years in the late 60s. Fr Murphy was one of the key players in those years at Kings Preparatory. In the years that followed, whenever my folks requested his presence , he was there. He was at my wedding in 1974 where my wife and I received his blessing. He celebrated mass for my folks 50th wedding anniversary and many other special occasions over years since Kings Preparatory. The last mass I recall with him was my father?s funeral mass in December of 2000 which he celebrated with solemn and dignity bringing comfort to our family. The last time I saw Fr Murphy was a few years ago now. I was telling about meeting our ?coach? from Kings Preparatory again and the driving range he was running at Honeoye Falls. As he started to walk away, he turned back and said ?Dyer Straits?. C?MON?. Fr Murphy will be missed by the many people whose lives he touched over the years especially my family since there were so many touch points. For everyone that he touched, especially the students at Kings Preparatory, thank you Father for being you?????.

Pat Klier

Connie & John Fitch and family

October 24, 2008

Fr. Murphy presided over our wedding 22 years ago. He was one of the most caring & compassionate people you would ever meet. Every life he touched is all the better for it and the world is a better place because he was in it. Love you Murph - you will be missed.

Mike & Janet Stapleton

October 24, 2008

Murph,

thank you for all the love you shared with us over the years. You are and will always be in our hearts. Pray for us in the heavenly reward you so richly deserve. We will miss you.

Lauren Lombard

October 24, 2008

Father Murphy was a big part of my life at Church of the Resurrection in Perinton. My kids loved him as I did. He will be greatly missed.

Fr Joe Callipare

October 24, 2008

I remember Fr Murphy from his years at St John's in Greece. He was great with us school kids. We were sorry to see him leave for he brought such life to the parish. He along with Fr. Fred Bush were priestly role models which inspired my own vocation to the priesthood. May Fr Murphy rest in peace.

Barry Kaplan,M.D.

October 24, 2008

I am one of the many who Father Murphy ("Murph") touched in his ministry .To me ,Murph so wonderfully demonstrated a Christlike walk in his vocation. He was a wonderful teacher by his works and his manner. I wil miss him,but the work he did will guide me in my walk. "Shalom" my friend.

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