Msgr. Joseph W. Murray.
(The following obituary was originally published by the Simcox-McIlvaine Funderal Home.)
Rev. Msgr. Joseph W. Murray, Pastor Emeritus St. Stanislaus Parish in Lansdale, PA, died on Saturday, April 18, 2020.
Msgr. Murray was born on March 8, 1933 in Philadelphia. He is the son of the late Ignatius L. and Mary (Guiniven) Murray. Msgr. Murray was predeceased by his siblings, Mary Ann Murray, Elizabeth Kelly, and his nephew Johnny P. Murray. He is survived by his brothers Reverend Msgr. Ignatius L. Murray, Dr. John P. Murray (Joan M. Walsh), and Reverend Msgr. Thomas A. Murray. He is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Msgr. Murray attended Holy Cross school in Mt. Airy and graduated LaSalle College High School in 1951 and entered St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 13, 1961, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul by John Cardinal Krol.
His first assignment was as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Ransom Parish in Philadelphia. He began ministering in the Archdiocesan High Schools in 1963—first on the faculty at Bishop Kenrick High School in Norristown, then as Principal from 1974 to 1985—first at St. Pius X High School, Pottstown, then at Bishop Kenrick High School, and finally at Bishop McDevitt High School in Wyncote.
In 1985 he became Pastor of Holy Angels Parish in Philadelphia. From 1989 to 2008, he was Pastor of St. Stanislaus in Lansdale. In June 2018, Msgr. Murray was named Pastor Emeritus for St. Stanislaus Parish.
After retirement, he moved to Mother of Divine Providence Parish in King of Prussia where he continued to minister to the parishioners of that parish before entering Regina Nursing Facility in 2018. During his ministry at the high schools, he resided and assisted at St. Titus Parish, East Norriton, St. Helena’s in Center Square, St. Gabriel’s Hall, Phoenixville, and St. John Neumann in Bryn Mawr. Every place he touched he called home!
He received a Master’s Degree from LaSalle University in 1974. He was named a Monsignor in 1991 by the Holy Father. He received various honors for all his years of service to Catholic Education and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He sat on many committees and rendered service throughout the diocese on many levels.
Due to the current Covid-19 restrictions, Msgr. Murray’s Funeral and Burial will be private. We will all gather to celebrate his life together at a Memorial Mass when circumstances permit.
In Lieu of flowers, donations in his memory might be made to the Catholic School of your choice or the Hemophilia Foundation, 1489 Baltimore Pike, Suite 227, Springfield, PA 19064.
See also:
Obit: Gerald ‘Jerry’ Coshin, North Penn High School Senior, Dies at 18
Obit: Amie Nicole Harwick, Therapist And Author, Dies At 38
Obit: Jim Algeo Sr., Longtime Lansdale Catholic Football Coach, Dies at 83
Hugh Cullen, Former Lansdale Mayor, Dies at 79
Obit: Katherine 'Katie' Walton, 40, of Lansdale
