Stephen John Murphy

Stephen J. Murphy, 76, of Montpelier, Vermont passed away peacefully on February 21, 2026 at his home with his wife of 54 years, Cynthia, by his side.

Steve graduated from Saint Michael's Graded and High School in Montpelier, Loyola College in Montreal, and earned his Juris Doctor from the New England School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Vermont Bar Association, Vermont Association for Justice, Vermont Right to Life Committee, and a faithful member of Saint Augustine's Catholic Church.

Steve married his high school sweetheart, Cynthia A. Arioli on August 14, 1971. Together they had four children of whom he was tremendously proud.

Steve was admitted to the Vermont Bar in 1975 and practiced law for 48 years. He represented parties in civil litigation, personal injury, products liability, criminal litigation, real estate, and corporate law, though he was most well known for the work he did in the areas of family and juvenile law. Through this work, he used his caring nature, calm demeanor, and sometimes fiery advocacy to bring together parties from both sides of the table. Further, he served as acting judge and magistrate in more than half the counties in Vermont. He was known for rarely saying no to pro-bono work and for his great generosity in support of the Vermont Volunteer Lawyers Project. One president of the Vermont Bar referred to him, on more than one occasion, as "an example of the type of lawyer [they] as a bar needed to encourage others to become".

Steve was the chairman of three of the four state boards of appeal and did over 700 tax appeals. He was a mentor to many young lawyers through his career and presented at numerous seminars and CLE trainings in respect of divorce, custody, and parentage. Steve presented at the Vermont Judicial College several times. Amongst many others he completed the Visitations Master's Training. Steve was on the Governor's Commission for Mobile Homes and the Supreme Court Advisory Committee, playing a role in implementing the family court system in the State. He was highly involved in collaborative law and was one of the few people in the area who did divorce mediation rather than going to court. He has been acknowledged by the Vermont Supreme Court and Family Court Oversight Committees for his dedication and service. As testament to his ability to form and maintain lasting professional relationships, he shared all his years of practice with only three secretaries.

Steve further served his community as a member of the Montpelier School Board for almost ten years, many of which he was chairman, which is remarkable because at that time he didn't even have children in the school system. He lived his life in service to others.

Somehow, in between all this work, Steve found time to live a vibrant life creating lasting connections with dear friends and family. He spent many summers with his family at the camp his grandparents built on Woodbury Lake waterskiing, swimming, fishing, and playing his guitar around the campfire. Anyone who knew him, knew the enormous role music played in his life. He was an avid musician, beginning with his teenage band, The Misfits. He performed original songs at baptisms, graduations, and weddings for family and friends. When his kids were small, he sat in the hallway in between their bedrooms and sang them to sleep. He recorded his own music and in his retirement spent long afternoons with his Thursday music group. He was an avid reader and collector of historic books. He also had an affinity towards artwork and other collectibles and was on an eternal hunt through antique stores for his next great find. He loved attending his grandsons' sporting events, even when they were far away and outside in the rain. He was a high school basketball star player and went on to play at the collegiate level. Until recently he continued to hit the courts, often schooling players half his age.

Steve was known for his gentle calming presence. His roots and connection in this community reach back 4 generations and are rich and deep. He was a devoted member of St. Augustine's church where he was a Eucharistic Minister, a member of the choir, a member of the hospitality committee, and for many years attended Adoration. He was known in every space he walked into and was adored by so many, young and old. Many of his children's friends saw him as a role model and as a quiet voice of comfort especially when it was needed most.

Steve's dedication to his children was unmatched. He would do anything for them. He never missed a game or event even if it meant racing from court to the field still in his suit and trenchcoat. He was extremely proud of them and travelled afar to be with them from Boston to San Francisco to Peru. Above all, Stephen adored his "One and Only", as he called her, Cynthia. Their courtship began at age 14 and their partnership endured until his last day. He attributed his victories to her in part, always saying that having her by his side was what got him through.

The family and the community are forever changed by his loss, and his presence will be deeply missed every day.

He was predeceased by his grandparents, J. Leo and Marguerite S. Johnson, and Andrew and Ann Murphy; his mother, Grace Johnson Murphy McGuire; his father, John Murphy; his stepfather, Pat McGuire; and his uncle, D. Paul Johnson.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Cynthia (Arioli); his sons, Kristopher Murphy of Peru, and Martin Murphy of Wyoming; his daughters, Sarah Kitchen and her husband, David, of Montpelier, and Leah Jones and her husband, Keith, of Montpelier; his niece, Krista Willmann and, her husband Ben, and their son, Henry, of Colorado; his siblings, Joanne Betit and her husband, Greg, Carole Murphy, Kathryn Flynn and her husband, Patrick, Christine Murphy-Egri and her husband, Roy McDonald, and Andrew Murphy; his brothers-in-law, Paul Arioli and Joseph Arioli and his wife, Sally Borden; his adoring grandsons, Owen, Dean, and Cole Jones, and Sabin Kitchen. He also leaves many nieces and nephews who were very dear to him across the country.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, February 26, 2026, from 5-7:00 p.m. at Guare & Sons Funeral Home, 30 School Street, Montpelier, Vermont.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, February 27, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Augustine's Church, 16 Barre Street, Montpelier, Vermont.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Augustine's Parish Community Luncheon, 16 Barre Street, Montpelier, VT 05602, or to Central Vermont Pregnancy Services (Care Net), 105 North Main Street, Suite 305, Barre, VT 05641.