George A. Murphy, 92, of Seaford, judge, state senator and assemblyman, dies
Retired Judge George Murphy, left, who was instrumental in getting the Jones Beach bicycle path built helps unveil the 30th anniversary sign with John Norbeck, Regional Director of New York State Parks and Recreation on August 15, 2005. Credit: Newsday / Audrey C. Tiernan
George A. Murphy of Seaford, who served as a New York State Supreme Court justice, state senator and assemblyman, has died at the age of 92.
Murphy died Aug. 11 of complications from a stroke. His services were held at the Seaford American Legion and he was buried at Long Island National Cemetery in Pinelawn.
He was born in Brooklyn and grew up in Merrick and later graduated from Fordham University. He was a U.S. Army veteran from World War II and served in the European and Pacific campaigns.
Murphy earned his law degree from St. John's University. He practiced as an attorney and also served as a Hempstead Town councilman.
He was elected to the State Senate in 1971. He was elected to the State Assembly a year later and served three terms.
Murphy was elected as a State Supreme Court justice in 1978, and he served for 19 years.
His son, Terence Murphy, who is a Nassau County judge, said his father was a devoted public servant and carried out his duty on the bench.
"He had an innate sense of fairness to all and recognized his obligation to hear the word of the people," Terence Murphy said. "He always allowed a person to express an opinion. In all aspects, he took his responsibility of the people very seriously."
Murphy said his father allowed his children to pursue their own dreams, but he had a natural inclination to follow in his father's path into law.
"That responsibility that the public bestowed on us is a heavy one," Murphy said. "And it's one not to be taken lightly and executed with due diligence and respect to the law."
George Murphy was a founding member and past commander of the Edwin J. Welch American Legion Hall and past commander of the Nassau County American Legion. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Memorare Council, the Nassau County Bar Association, the Catholic Lawyers Guild, the Elks Club and the Ancient Order of the Hiberians.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Teresa Murphy, and nine children, Michael, Timothy, Terence, Mary Schroeder, James, Maureen Murphy, Christopher, Marjorie Consiglio and Paul; his brother, Joseph and 20 grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his daughter Margaret Ann.
John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.
