Obituary

Edmund Murphy, 86

Proud police officer and family man

Posted

Edmund Murphy, of Rockville Centre, died peacefully surrounded by family on July 3. He was 86.

Murphy was a devoted husband to Ginnie, loving father to eight children and a doting grandfather and great-grandfather.

He was born in Brooklyn to John and Nellie (Gillick) on May 1, 1930. He married Virginia Lilienthal on Feb. 7, 1953 in Mary, Queen of Heaven Church in Brooklyn. After completing his service in the Air Force, he joined the New York City Police Department in 1954 and was assigned to the 70th precinct. He was later promoted to detective and worked in Manhattan.

Wounded in the line of duty in April, 1961, Murphy was awarded the Pulaski Association Medal for Valor by New York City Mayor Robert Wagner on May 7, 1962.

Murphy continued to work in the NYPD until his retirement in 1974.

He and his wife moved to Rockville Centre in 1962 and were longtime members of St. Agnes Parish.

Murphy was predeceased by his parents and siblings: John, James and Eileen.

By far, Murphy’s proudest achievement was his family. He is survived by his wife, Ginnie; daughters Anne (Robert Hayes), Mary (Michael McDermott) and Ellen; sons Edmund (Jean), Thomas (Alejandrina), Brian (Julie), Joseph (Patricia) and Kevin (Elizabeth); grandchildren Kristen, Brian, Allison, Caitlin, Kellie, Erin, Sean, Kevin, Ryan, Zachary, Kerry, Andrew, Luke, Morgan, Kyle, Meredith, Kevin, Reese, Caroline and Catherine; great-grandchildren Annabell, David, Emma, Ryan and William.

Murphy’s family wishes to extend its sincere thanks to the NYPD, St. Agnes and the Rockville Centre community, as well as Calvary Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Murphy’s name to Calvary Hospital’s Hospice Unit, 1740 Eastchester Road, Bronx, NY, 10461.