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Alphonsus Murphy Obituary
East Lansing, MI - Alphonsus C. (Al) Murphy, formerly of East Lansing, Mich., died peacefully at age 92 on Jan. 16, 2021, in Moraga, Calif. A longtime attorney in the Lansing area, Al was born in 1928 in New York City to William J. and Ellen G. Murphy.
The family moved to Ann Arbor, and Al graduated from Ann Arbor High School. He earned an A.B. and an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan, and served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. He earned an LL.B. from the University of Wisconsin Law School, where he met his wife of 46 years, Ann (Peg), then a graduate student in the School of Education. Al started his law career as an attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. He retired from law at age 90, after nearly 40 years with local firm Murphy & Spagnuolo, to move closer to two of his daughters in northern California.
Al was a devoted member of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in East Lansing. He enjoyed keeping up with current events, golfing, and cheering for the Michigan Wolverines and Wisconsin Badgers in football and basketball. He was a longtime neighbor and friend to many in the East Lansing community.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, a brother and a sister. He is survived by his five children: daughters Ellen (Keith) of North Carolina; Margaret (John) of the Washington, D.C., area; Ann (Stuart) and Kate of the San Francisco Bay area; and son, the Rev. William J. Murphy, S.J., of Detroit; five grandchildren; a brother and two sisters.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Feb. 3 at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 955 Alton Rd., East Lansing, with a private interment to follow. Fr. Murphy will preside. Visitation will be at 10 a.m., with church and state regulations regarding COVID-19 being followed for the visitation and Mass. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home in East Lansing. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Al's memory may be made to the Ann Flaherty Murphy Memorial Scholarship at the University of Wisconsin School of Education http://supportuw.org/giveto/murphymemorial or to the charity of one's choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Alphonsus Murphy
Sponsored by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes.
Patrick McCarley
June 17, 2023
Al was kind enough to give me my first job as an attorney with his firm. I learned a lot from him and admired him greatly.
Mary Grace T Rivers
October 26, 2021
I used to be a cna for mr. murphy when he was a one of the facility,he is very nice person. Rest in peace mr. murphy. My condolences to your family.
Bob Kline
April 8, 2021
I was a law clerk for Al and the gang many years ago. He was kind enough to lend a listening ear and give me sage advice over the years. A kind, smart, and funny man who was a real hero and mentor to me. God's blessing to Al and his wonderful family. He was so proud of all of you.
Larry Musser
February 3, 2021
Al was a good friend for many years, personally and professionally. I have especially fond memories of attending the U.S. Open together at Oakland Hills. He also hired my son Eric as a law clerk when Eric was securing his law degree. I will miss him and ask the Lord to bless his soul and his family at this difficult time.
Larry musser
LK Woodworth
February 3, 2021
I could always count on Al for good advice. Really good advice!
May he rest in peace, LK
Brittany Marley & the Clotfelter children
January 29, 2021
Al always gave the warmest acceptance, kindness and consideration to each of us and we considered him part of our extended family. He will be missed dearly, especially our earnest conversations and an occasional sneaking of dessert. xo
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Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes1730 East Grand River Ave, East Lansing, MI 48823
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