Rev. Fr. Joseph P. Murphy, O.M.I.
...oldest living Oblate priest
TEWKSBURY - Rev. Joseph P. Murphy, O.M.I. died after a short illness, Tuesday, August 6th at the Town andCountry Nursing Home in Lowell, Ma. Fr. Murphy was 101 and recently celebrated his 75thAnniversary as a priest.
Father was a member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate andwas at the time of his death the oldest member of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
Fr. Murphywas born in Brooklyn, N.Y. the son of Patrick and Mary (Curran) Murphy. He graduated fromBoston College High School in 1915 and entered the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in 1919.
Fatherattended Canisus College in Buffalo, N.Y. He was ordained to the priesthood in Washington,D.C. on April 29th 1927. Father Murphy served the Oblates for many years as a Missionaryassigned to Lowell, MA, Tewksbury, MA. at Duck Creek, WI. and Newburgh NY. He was alsoPastor in McCook, NE. He was a Hospital Chaplain at Bronx State in New York City for manyyears .
In his last years Father lived in Roslindale MA and in September of 1996 was assigned tothe Immaculate Heart of Mary Residence in Tewksbury, MA. He is survived by many nieces andnephews.
Father Murphy's Funeral Mass was held on Friday, August 9, in the Residence Chapel. Burial followed in the Oblate Cemetery.
Donations in Father Murphy's memory may be made to the Oblate Retirement Fund, PO. 419Tewksbury, MA. 01876.