Philip J. Murphy

ASHLAND Philip J. Murphy of Ashland and Framingham was 81. Son of the late Harold A. Murphy, M.D. and Mary A. (Walsh) Murphy of Jamaica Plain, he died after a short illness. He was the former husband of Mary E. Murphy of Framingham and devoted companion of Norma Rooks of Swampscott. Phil was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII a pharmacists mate. He was the national Press Secretary for Senator Eugene McCarthy in 1968 and was very involved in grass roots peace groups. He was the former executive financial editor of the Boston Herald Traveler, a Boston Globe columnist, founder of The Real Paper in Framingham, financial analyst in Boston and Danvers, a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross and earned a masters of education at Harvard University. He was the father of Edward J. Murphy and his wife, Anne, of Framingham, Marianne Wilson and her husband, Peter, of Ashland, and Carol Murphy of San Diego. He also leaves five grandchildren, Margaret and Ned Murphy, Caroline and Peter Woodruff, and Malia Murphy. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, Feb. 6, at 9 a.m., in St. Cecilia's Church, Esty Street, Ashland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Veteran's Outreach Center - MetroWest, 255 Main St., Suite 213, Marlborough, MA 01752 (www.mataresefuneral.com)