Walter L. Murphy

Hon. Walter L. Murphy, 87, passed away peacefully on January 29, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years, Joan Elizabeth Murphy (Hjelm), and their five children: Diane Quinlan (Gary) of Merrimack, NH, James Murphy of Cataumet, MA, Kerri Tellier (J. Scott) of Falmouth, MA, Erin Hoye (William) of Medway, MA, and Kathleen Murphy (Robert Rice) of Falmouth, MA.

A beloved Papa, he cherished his eleven grandchildren: Lt. Cdr. Michael Quinlan (Elizabeth), Ceara O'Brien (Kevin), Caitlyn Tellier, Mairead Hoye, Declan Tellier, Quinn Lowenstein, Liam Hoye, Jon Lowenstein, Kiernan Tellier, Elaine Lowenstein, and Ryan Hoye, as well as his great-grandson, Patrick Quinlan. He was predeceased by his parents, Walter and Mary Murphy, and his sisters, Jean Watson, Marjorie Murphy, and C. Patricia DaCosta.

Raised in Milton, MA, Judge Murphy attended Boston College High School, the College of the Holy Cross, and Boston College Law School. He practiced law in Plymouth, NH, for over 21 years before his appointment as a Justice of the NH Superior Court in 1983, later serving as Chief Justice until his retirement in 2004. He was a co-author of NH Civil Jury Instructions and an educator, serving as a faculty member at the University of New Hampshire School of Law and the National Judicial College at the University of Nevada.

Beyond his distinguished legal career, Judge Murphy was a dedicated coach and community leader. He was an assistant football coach at Plymouth High School and became the first head football coach at Plymouth State University. Plymouth State University established the Walter L. Murphy Coaches Award in his honor, recognizing coaches who demonstrate outstanding leadership and dedication as teachers, motivators, and mentors. He served as Plymouth Town and School District Moderator, as a member of St. Matthew Parish Council, and was active in many other civic and charitable organizations. In 2009, he served as chair of the Commission to Study the Death Penalty established by the NH Legislature.

His many contributions were widely recognized. He was the first recipient of the NH Bar Association's Justice William A. Grimes Award for Judicial Professionalism, received the Manchester Bar Association's Lifetime Achievement Award, and was honored with the Outstanding American Award by the Joe Yukica Chapter of the National Football Foundation. In 2013, he received the Governor Badger Award from the NH Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.

Above all, Judge Murphy was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who found his greatest joy in his family. He especially cherished time spent with his family in Pocasset, MA, where he spent summers for over 80 years, creating lasting memories. He will be remembered not only for his remarkable career but also for his sharp wit and sense of humor, which brought warmth and laughter to those around him. His legacy of integrity, service, and laughter will live on through those who loved him.

A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, February 24, 2025, at 10:00 am at St. John the Evangelist Church, 841 Shore Road, Pocasset, MA. The Mass will be followed by a celebration of life at Bucatino Restaurant and Wine Bar, 7 Nathan Ellis Hwy, North Falmouth, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Alzheimer's Family Support Center of Cape Cod or The Parkinson's Foundation.