May 13, 2022

OBITUARY: Brother Stephen Murphy dies at 68

REGIONAL

Murphy Stephen

HOLYOKE – Conventual Franciscan Brother Stephen Murphy died on May 11. Born in Holyoke on March 30, 1954, he was the son of Stephen F. and Ruth C. (Moriarty) Murphy. After attending Holyoke Catholic High School, he worked at Rybacks Grocery Store and National Blank Book in Holyoke prior to entering religious life. He entered St. Joseph Cupertino Novitiate of the Franciscan Friars Conventual on Aug. 14, 1976. He professed his simple vows on Aug. 15, 1977, and solemn vows on Aug. 15, 1981. He lived at St. Hyacinth College and Seminary Friary, Granby, from 1977 to 1980. He moved to the Baltimore area where he lived at St. Stanislaus Kostka Friary and Immaculate Heart of Mary Friary from 1980 to 1990. During those years, he served as director of St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Baltimore. In 1990, he was transferred to his hometown, Holyoke.

From 1990 to 2011, he lived at Mater Dolorosa Friary in Holyoke and served in various forms of parish ministry and as director of religious education. He was often the master of ceremonies for the bishops of Springfield, assisting them at the many confirmations that occurred in the Springfield Diocese. From 2011 to 2013 he lived at St. Joseph Cupertino Friary in Ellicott City, Md. Bro. He returned to his home area roots in 2013 when he took up residence at St. Hyacinth Friary in Chicopee.

In addition to his Franciscan family, his mother Ruth Murphy, his siblings Margaret “Peggy” Coppez and husband Pudge (George), Deborah Pronovost and husband Mark, Kathleen Viens and husband Michael, Brian Murphy and wife Kelly-Jo, Patrick Murphy and wife Pamela, Nora Dansereau and husband Michael, and several nieces and nephews survive him.

Visiting hours will be held Sunday, May 15 from 4-7 p.m. in St. Jerome Church, 169 Hampden St., Holyoke, MA 01040. A Franciscan Wake Service will take place at 7 p.m. On Monday, May 16, a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., preceded by visitation beginning at 9a.m. Interment will be at the Murphy family plot in St. Jerome Cemetery, Holyoke. Memorial donations may be made to the Franciscan Education Burse, 12300 Folly Quarter Rd., Ellicott City, Md. 21042.