James R. “Murph” Murphy

James R. Murphy, 81, of Baldwinsville, passed away on May 1, 2023 in Largo, Florida after heart surgery complications.

Known by most as “Murph”, Murph was born on February 27, 1942.  He was raised by his paternal grandparents, Ray and Elizabeth Murphy, during his early years in North Syracuse.  Murphy graduated from North Syracuse in 1960.  He was an extraordinary sportsman excelling in baseball.  Murph received a scholarship to play baseball at Lake Forest College in Chicago.  After college, Murphy began a career as a stock broker for EF Hutton and then, Merrill Lynch in New York City, then relocating to Syracuse for many years before continuing on toChicago.  Murphy eventually settled in Baldwinsville and was very proud of his cottage on the Seneca River.  He hosted many fun filled events there.  It was where his friends affectionately called it, “the Seneca Hilton”. Murphy had many friends in life, from folks he went to school with, to work colleagues to neighbors.  Murphy was sweet, kind and always thinking how he could make the day better for others. He was best known for his wisdom; his friends anxiously awaiting his next session of storytelling.  Murphy’s passions in life were being on the North Syracuse Reunion Committee (Class of 1960) so he could keep in touch with old classmates, tending to his numerous rose bushes, watching the Chicago Cubs or Philadelphia Eagles and trying out a new recipe in his kitchen with his neighbors and friends being the lucky recipients.  Murphy was blessed to reconnect with his high school sweetheart, Gloria Gardner, and spent the last year of his life with the love of his life in Florida.  James was predeceased by his sister, Harriet A. Guerrier.  

Calling hours will be Saturday, June 17th from 11 am to 1 pm at Sears Middleton Matthewson, 209 North Main Street, North Syracuse.  A Celebration of Life immediately following at the North Syracuse Community Center, 700 South Bay Road, North Syracuse.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Syracuse Rose Society, 8397 Angler’s Club, Cicero, NY  13039

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