GEORGE J. S. MURPHY.
George J. S. Murphy, secretary to the Elizabeth (N. J.) Board of Fire Commissioners and a valued member of this Society, died suddenly of heart disease September 2, 1909, in his thirty-ninth year, in a New York restaurant, as he was ordering dinner.
Mr. Murphy was a son of the late Walter and Margaret M. Murphy, who were well-known residents of the old Eighth ward, Elizabeth, where he was born, his parents then residing at 726 Eugenia Place. His father was a carpenter and builder and for twenty years or more was an election officer in the Eighth ward.
As a boy, Mr. Murphy attended St. Mary’s parochial school and later on the Morrel street school, from which he was graduated high in his class. He next attended St. Peter’s College, in Jersey City, from which he also was graduated with honors.
Mr. Murphy entered upon his duties as secretary to the Board of Fire Commissioners when it was organized in 1901, and during all the years he served he never missed a single meeting, a record of which he felt justly proud. Mr. Murphy was a young man who believed in method, and the affairs of his office were conducted in a thorough, businesslike manner. He kept a record of everything of importance connected with his office and was able at an instant’s notice to place his hands on whatever record might be desired. He was of a genial, pleasant disposition and as one of the commissioners said: “He was the right man in the right place.” There were few men better known in Elizabeth than was Mr. Murphy.
He was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church and a member of the Holy Name Society connected with that parish. He was also a member of the Young Men’s Catholic Literary Association of St. Mary’s parish, and at one time a member of the board of directors connected with that association. He was also a member of and, at the time of his death, secretary of Elizabeth Council, No. 253, Knights of Columbus, and also a member and secretary of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, an organization in which he took a very deep interest. He was interested in the Elizabethport Building and Loan Association and served as one of its auditors.
He was unmarried and is survived by two brothers, John J. and William B. Murphy, the former manager of the Barrett Manufacturing Company. Mr. Murphy’s mother died nine years ago of heart trouble.