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Christopher W. Murphy
Christopher W. Murphy
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Christopher Murphy Obituary
For all of Christopher Murphy's impressive accomplishments on land (Yale B.A., Emory J.D., William & Mary M.B.A., budding inventor), he was probably most comfortable on the water, with a smile on his face, and a Bob Marley tune pulsating on deck.
Mr. Murphy was the captain of the Yale sailing team, and he had an easygoing and egoless style that classmates still recall fondly. He raced a sailboat across the Atlantic after graduation. He also taught teenagers how to sail as a longtime instructor at a program called Sail Caribbean.
"There was something about Murph that was so comforting," said Dr. Bradford Burke Worrall, a classmate of Mr. Murphy's at Yale and Emory. "He was the sort of person you'd want at the helm of anything."
Mr. Murphy, 35, had just started working at an investment bank in New York, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, but he planned eventually to do most of his work from his new home in Easton, Md. That way, he would be closer to his wife, Catherine, and their two young daughters, Hope, 2, and Hannah, 5 months. And closer to a sailboat, too: already, Mr. Murphy had done a lot of sailing this summer with the children. Hannah was learning to sail before she could walk.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Martha Murphy
September 11, 2024
Hannah and Hope--
I first met your father, my cousin, at his baptism celebration at your grandparents' house in Woodbridge, CT. Please know I continue to keep you in my prayers on this day and always.
Janet McNeil
September 12, 2023
Hannah and Hope, life is opening up to both of you. Thoughts and Prayers follow each of you through this moment in time. Know that you both are thought of every day.
Martha Murphy
September 11, 2023
Hannah and Hope, please know I think of you both always, but you hold a special place in my heart on this particular day each year--sending you my love.
❤
Janet McNeil
September 11, 2021
Hannah, Hope well girls, another year has passed and the pain is still raw. I think of you both often, knowing you have grown into beautiful young women. Hannah, now out in the business world, Hope about to enter another grueling year of college (I am joking), but through all of this, the two of you have become strong, powerful examples of what your Dad was. Always know there are people rooting you on in life!!!
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Martha Murphy
September 11, 2019
Hannah and Hope--I am remembering your father, my cousin, and you both on this day. I can't imagine how much you miss your father. Please know you both, your father, and our family remain in my thoughts and prayers every day, but especially today. I know your father is watching over you as you both grow into all he knew you would become.
April 21, 2019
I miss and love you so much. I wish I could talk to you.
Madalyn Fay
March 2, 2019
I am looking for Hope or Hannah Murphy. One of my coworkers found a sterling silver bracelet at our local goodwill with their fathers name on it and the letters WTC. I was not sure if it belonged to them or a family member. I thought I would let them know. You can contact me on Facebook (Maddi Fay) or Instagram (madalyn_fay) just to make sure it is actually his daughters so I can send it to you. I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you.
September 12, 2018
love you.
Martha Murphy
September 11, 2018
Hannah and Hope, I am remembering you and your father, my cousin, today and always. Know he is always watching over you.
Janet Bradford
September 11, 2018
Another year. Hope, you and Hannah are always on my mind, more so today. Wishes and prayers going for both of you. Look up and Smile. Take care.
Janet MCNeil
October 29, 2017
Hope,
Wishing you the best right now. Prayers and thoughts are always with you, Hannah and your Grands. Take care and chin up. Daddy is listening each time you speak to him.
Hope Murphy
October 5, 2017
Missing you a little extra today daddy. I know you're watching over but I could really use your guidance. I love you always.
Martha Murphy
September 11, 2017
Hannah, I will always remember your father, my cousin. I hope you take comfort in knowing he is always looking over you.
Hannah, I will always remember your father, my cousin. He will always be looking after you.
Martha Murphy
September 11, 2017
September 11, 2017
Hannah, I will always remember your father, my cousin. Know that he will forever be looking after you.
--Martha Murphy
September 11, 2017
Miss you forever daddy, I know you are always with me and I am so lucky to have you as a guardian angel.
Janet McNeil (Hunteman)
March 4, 2017
Hannah,
I just read your lovely tribute to your Dad. Enjoying all of the activities that he enjoyed is a remarkable way to connect with him, in Spirit.
He is watching over both you and Hope and he may possibly have been with you night swimming and on the Cliff. You see, as long as you have him in your memory he is with you, now, and forever.
Take care of you, and congrats to one of the newest drivers in the Country!!
March 1, 2017
Daddy,
There is so much I wish I could say to you everyday and so much I wish you could teach me. I'm about to turn sixteen now and I am learning to drive. I wish you could be here to watch me at my horse shows or lacrosse games, but who knows, maybe I would have been a sailor instead. Every time I cry because I miss you so much the only thing I want is for you to be holding me, but of course if that happened than I won't be crying in first place. I love reading all the amazing things people have said about you, but sometimes it reminds me how unlucky I am to never have gotten to know you. I always ask myself, is it better that you died when I was little, so I wasn't able to understand what was going on that the time, or would it be better to have been older and know you before you died but then also have to suffer through the pain of your sudden death? I have finally decided my answer. For me, I would rather take the pain of your death the day it happened, but at least have at least one memory with you, than have to grow up with the never ending pain and not even remembering a single thing about you. You were such an amazing person and all I want is to have my own reason to remember you as that.
I know you are watching over me, but I wish you could be there in person with me instead. In Laos I could feel your presents next to me on that cliff looking out over the most amazing view in the entire world, and yet there was nothing I could do to see your smile in that moment. Or when I went night swimming off at beautiful beach in Thailand. I imagined your ashes floating all the way from US to that exact spot in Thailand just to be with me, except there was nothing I could do to know if you were really there. If I could have you back for only 2 weeks, the only thing I would want to do in those 2 weeks is travel. Travel to the most dangerous and beautiful places in the world. Places where we would never stop smiling and never be afraid. And once those 2 weeks were over, I of course would be heartbroken to have you leave, but at least I would have all those memories and adventures to hold on to forever.
I love you more than anything in the entire world Daddy and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about you. I hope you are watching me grow up and I wish you were here to hold my hand and carry me along when I need my dad.
Love,
Hannah (Murph)
March 1, 2017
Daddy,
There is so much I wish I could say to you everyday and so much I wish you could teach me. I'm about to turn sixteen now and I am learning to drive. I wish you could be here to watch me at my horse shows or lacrosse games, but who knows, maybe I would have been a sailor instead. Every time I cry because I miss you so much the only thing I want is for you to be holding me, but of course if that happened than I won't be crying in first place. I love reading all the amazing things people have said about you, but sometimes it reminds me how unlucky I am to never have gotten to know you. I always ask myself, is it better that you died when I was little, so I wasn't able to understand what was going on that the time, or would it be better to have been older and know you before you died but then also have to suffer through the pain of your sudden death? I have finally decided my answer. For me, I would rather take the pain of your death the day it happened, but at least have at least one memory with you, than have to grow up with the never ending pain and not even remembering a single thing about you. You were such an amazing person and all I want is to have my own reason to remember you as that.
I know you are watching over me, but I wish you could be there in person with me instead. In Laos I could feel your presents next to me on that cliff looking out over the most amazing view in the entire world, and yet there was nothing I could do to see your smile in that moment. Or when I went night swimming off at beautiful beach in Thailand. I imagined your ashes floating all the way from US to that exact spot in Thailand just to be with me, except there was nothing I could do to know if you were really there. If I could have you back for only 2 weeks, the only thing I would want to do in those 2 weeks is travel. Travel to the most dangerous and beautiful places in the world. Places where we would never stop smiling and never be afraid. And once those 2 weeks were over, I of course would be heartbroken to have you leave, but at least I would have all those memories and adventures to hold on to forever.
I love you more than anything in the entire world Daddy and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about you. I hope you are watching me grow up and I wish you were here to hold my hand and carry me along when I need my dad.
Love,
Hannah (Murph)
January 9, 2017
I love you so much daddy. Forever in my heart
Janet Hunteman
September 11, 2016
Hope and Hannah,
I have thought of both of you many times throughout the past 15 years, and today is especially the one time I always think of, not only you, but Murph as well.
Prayers going your way, hoping that each passing day you gain more insight as to the man your Dad was.
He is looking down and smiling at the beautiful girls that he and your Mom produced.
Mary Ann and James Murphy's Wedding Day, February 14, 1953
Martha Murphy
September 11, 2015
Hello, Dear Hope--
You don't know me, but we are connected in a very special way. I met you and your sister ever so briefly almost 14 years ago in 2001 when you were just 2 and Hannah was only 5 months. The occasion of our meeting was a sad but celebratory one. As one of your father's cousins from New Haven, I attended his memorial service at St. Mary's the week following 9/11.
You see, your grandfather, Bill, and my father, Jim, were first cousins who grew up with each other in the New Haven area--in fact, they were in each other's weddings! Your grandfather was my father's best man, and my father was one of your grandfather's groomsmen! That makes your dad, Uncle David and me cousins, which makes you and me cousins, too! And, I have three younger brothers who are your cousins, as well, not to mention our children--10 in all! I've attached a photo to this post from my parents' wedding showing your grandfather standing on the far left and my father standing on the far right. The man sitting next to your grandfather is my grandfather, my father's father, who is related to you, too (can you keep this all straight?)!
As a young child myself, I attended your father's christening at your grandparents' house in Woodbridge, CT when your dad was just a baby many, many years ago. I still remember it well!
On each of the previous 9/11 anniversaries, I have honored your dad in some special way, never wanting to forget him and all the others whose lives changed that day.
This morning, I was reflecting on your father and decided for some reason to visit this tribute page. It was there I read the beautiful and heartfelt tribute you wrote to your father last December. Thinking about your beautiful words brought tears to my eyes all day today. I respect you so much for your strength and willingness to share such honest and personal feelings. As I know you know, your father was a wonderful man and father who loved you very much, and I have no doubt he is so very proud of the lovely young lady you have become.
Please know that I will continue to honor your father and remember you and Hannah on each 9/11 anniversary to come and all the days in between. You will always be in my heart.
Love,
Martha Murphy
Janet Hunteman
September 11, 2015
Cathrine, Hope and Hannah:
I think of Chris (your Daddy) often throughout the year, but find myself coming back to this page to Honor his memory.
Hope, I read your December post. Sweetheart, I think Daddy is watching down on you each and every day, and is pleased with what a considerate, caring young lady you have become.
Hope, take care today. Chin up. Daddy is with you always, Mom will make sure of that.
S J. Friscia III
May 8, 2015
In Memory
With Honor & Respect.
Hope Murphy
December 18, 2014
Hi daddy.. It's me. I have been very curious recently, and have found myself wanting to know what happened that day. I have been crying every night for the past week when I started learning more and more about that day. I just now stumbled across this tribute page and have read every single kind comment (the whole entire time smiling and crying). I can't say I wish I knew you, because from everything I have been told I have a pretty general idea of what an amazing person you were. But I do wish I could remember you, and I wish I could have you here when life becomes too heavy on my shoulders. I love you.
Amanda Banks
September 11, 2014
Chris,
I remember you from MBA school at William & Mary, as you sat in front of me day in, day out while we endured boot camp-like experiences as newcomers to the program. Ultimately, I had to take a medical withdrawal after my first semester to care for my young son with autism. I was sad to leave what I had worked so hard for. When 9/11 occurred, I couldn't stop thinking about you and how glad I was that you were able to finish the program to fulfill your goals. I remember your lighthearded demeanor and boyish smile. I admired those qualities in you and remember wondering how in the world you could take in stride all the pressures of our classes. I could sense how glad you were glad to be there, and that you found a certain joy in stretching your brain and taking on incredible learning challenges. I hope your girls will know that part of you, how brilliant and dauntless you were in your study of the most difficult concepts. Rest in peace, my dear classmate.
Bryan McGrath
June 1, 2014
Every day I try to be worthy of the great responsibilities I've inherited. RIP, Chris.
Tony Scialla
September 11, 2013
Thinking about you Chris, still trying to make sense of your passing and saddened how you had so much still to accomplish in this life. I do thank you for being a great friend at Hopkins(class of '84)You are truly missed by all who knew you.
Melissa Beard
September 9, 2013
Mr. Murphy,
Today I placed a flag in a 9/11 memorial tribute and chose your name. Upon reading about you, I am humbled by your life story. I'm a 38 year old wife of a firefighter in California and I have two small boys and I somehow feel a connection to you. Although I will never have the honor of meeting you face to face, I pray that your wife and family know that you were all thought of today and I hope that those who love you have a peace that passes all understanding. Sail on:)
Eleanor Masinter
September 11, 2012
Chris, Though I never met you and was 5 at the time of 9/11, you have played a major part in my life. You clerk with my mom and from the stories I have heard, you were truly a great person. Today I cannot help but think about your family, and while they probably miss you to no end, if you have affected me in the way you have then you have done so much for them. I know everyone misses you very much!
Janet Hunteman
September 11, 2011
Catherine, Hope and Hannah:
Memories of the past will flood you today. Know that Christ loves you and will keep you in His arms today, and always.
Lindsay Higgins
September 10, 2011
Catherine, I am thinking about Chris, you and your daughters this weekend. It is a very sad time here in NYC. We just came from a memorial event for Mary Lou Hague, a Carolina friend who also worked at KBW, and our hearts are just so heavy. May you find some peace during this sad anniversary. Sincerely, Lindsay Higgins, W&M MBA Class of 1998
Jonathan LaMendola
March 7, 2011
I don't know why but I thought about Chris today. We were classmates at Emory Law School. I thought about his easy going personality and quick smile. He was good guy and the world is less without him.
Carolyn
August 7, 2009
To the Murphy family,
I am a resident of Woodbridge, CT. I very recently began to take walks on the Fitzgerald walking trails. When I first passed Christopher's bench, the first thing I noticed was his date of birth...tomorrow, August 8th (also my birthday). I then saw the date of his passing. Each time I pass his bench, I will say a prayer for him and for you.
debuse
April 29, 2008
When we lose someone we love we have had one of life's most painful experiences. Our Creator understands your grief. More than that, he can undo the results of death. In the Bible, he has given us a record of past resurrections in order to demonstrate that he is not only the Giver of life but also the Restorer of it. Please consider the resurrection hope. Jesus was empowered to perform one at Luke 7:11-17. Jesus focused his attention on the grieving mother. Notice the young man rose and Jesus "gave him to his mother" they became a family once again. Please take comfort in this hope. May you have peace
Tom Smith
August 16, 2007
I worked with Chris at DB&H in the early 90s for a while. I remember him coming in my office one afternoon and we talked for an hour or so about nothing -- and everything. Though I didn't know him well, I know he was a great guy.
P Tabbernor
January 12, 2007
In remembrance....
Kristine
November 1, 2006
As I cross-stitched your name on the memorial that I am doing for all of the victims, I prayed for you and your family. Please know that your death was not in vain. We will always remember. God Bless.
Tim
February 23, 2005
Catherine, Hope & Hannah,
Chris' friends still remember him and mourn his loss. May you again find happiness in the years ahead.
Caroline Grant
September 12, 2002
I remember Chris from small section during our first year of law school at Emory as an easy-going, genuine and truly nice person. A speaker in a recent PBS special on 09/11 said it best when she said that it is comforting knowing that " . . . who we are transcends what we were."
Paul Bradley
September 11, 2002
Christopher: We were neighbors growing up - I remember you as the energetic little kid who was always so polite. We probably saw eachother most at the Woodbridge Club during the summers. Even though I hadn't seen you in probably 25 years, it didn't make it any easier to hear you were in the WTC one year ago today. Your Mom & Dad sent a very moving Christmas card to my Mom. I thought I had escaped knowing anyone personally who lost their life. Anyhow, I was refreshed to see from your memorials that you became a successful guy with a loving family of your own. I know your Mom, Dad and David as well as your own family are heartbroken, but they will remember you fondly with a smile on their faces. Rest in Peace.
Your neighbor from Woodbridge long long ago.
Paul Bradley [email protected]
Jill McCann Collins
September 9, 2002
From our family to yours... our deepest prayers for Catherine, Hannah and Hope.
Jill, Mike, Benjamin and Emma Collins
Jason Lichtenstein
September 9, 2002
Murph, your tenaciousness on the wrestling mat was an example to the younger guys, and no one who faced you every forgot you. About a month after 9/11, I ran into a Brunswick wrestler at a funeral whom I hadn't seen him in 16 years. His first words? "Hey, do you know what that Murphy kid is up to?"
Jonathan
August 15, 2002
I have many fond memories of Chris. He gave me some of the best advice I've ever received: "Ready about...watch your head, Morse."
A light such as his is not easily extinguished; it will never be, for me.
Angie Campbell
May 7, 2002
May God Bless you and the ones that you left behind. Rest in peace..........
Jeff
April 30, 2002
I only knew Chris vicariously through his brother. I know of a close family whose dramatic loss will be forever a void in the winds and whistles of waves yet to be. May God be with him and his family.
Christine Barton
March 25, 2002
I am here to express my sorrow to the family of Christopher , I am the Mother of Jeanmarie Wallendorf who was also working for KBW at the time . I am just going thorugh all of kbw workers here to say how sorry I am and it is probubly because I have run out of things to do for anyone and I cant stand thinking and thinking over and over of what could have been done or what happened . you are in my thoughts everyday
March 13, 2002
DEAR GOD SHINE YOUR LIGHT ON THIS BEAUTIFUL MAN..CHRISTOPHER W.MURPHY AND MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE WITH GOD AND HIS ANGELS..GOD BLESS HIS WIFE..CHILDREN..FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS..STAY CLOSE AND NEVER FORGET 9/11/01..GOD BLESS AMERICA AND NEW YORK..MAY JESUS ..AND ST.CHRISTOPHER GREET YOU AT THE GATES OF HEAVEN..AND ST.PATRICK TOO..AMEN
Ashley
February 7, 2002
Many condolences from a fellow Marylander. You're in my prayers.
Alexia Prichard
February 5, 2002
Chris and I went to High School together. He was one year ahead of me, but we still hung out a lot. He is responsible for some of the best times I ever had in English class. Why is something I'll keep between us. His loss is ours...
Teresa Jahn
December 18, 2001
May Christopher's life and love plus his enjoyment of sailing live on in those who love him. We are deeply sorry for your loss of Christopher. Our hearts cry with you.
America Cries
We see your sorrow-
and our hearts cry....
We can not erase your pain
but you do not have to face the anguish alone-for we-
-the American people-
are beside you.
We so desperately want to have the touch that brings you comfort,
the strength that gives you courage,
and the words to lighten your spirits.
And when we are left speechless
may the silence of our nation weave love into your hearts
to ease your sorrow.
May you find healing through our nation's strength as we-
-the American people-
face this difficult time together. Our hearts are with you. Teresa Jahn
Dixon, IL
Matthew Sessions
November 8, 2001
You will always be remembered... keep on sailing and here is a 'Greenie' toast to you Chris!
Tim Hughes
October 16, 2001
Chris was a wonderful guy, a good friend, and a person who will be missed by us all. My deepest regrets to his family and other loved ones.
Steve Herz
September 25, 2001
Condolences from a college classmate of Chris's.
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