Patrick Joseph Murphy

He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Denise, but they have been devoted to each other for almost 60 years. He is also survived by his siblings Dennis, Brian, Sheila, and Terry. He was preceded in death by his father Patrick, his mother Alma, and his brothers Neil, and Daniel.

Paddy was born in West New York, NJ, the second son born to Patrick and Alma on June 1st, 1949. His family and friends all called him “Paddy”, but he is known to many others as “Irish Pat Murphy” as he was known during his boxing career. He started boxing at a young age and turning professional at the age of 18 years old, becoming a very popular boxer, winning his first 25 bouts. His career brought him to a number of different countries around the world, and he fought 3 world champions along the way, including top billing as a main event at Madison Square Garden. He was inducted into the NJ Boxing Hall of Fame in 1995 and into the Hudson County Hall of Fame in 2008.

Paddy and Denise enjoyed being surrounded by and raising their many dogs and birds over the years, including Spats, Taylor, Spencer, Finnegan, Clancy, Sookie, and Carly. Paddy doted on them as much as they doted on him.

To his family, he was a supportive husband, brother, and uncle. Family was everything to Paddy, and he loved spending time with his many nephews and nieces, and their children as well, as the family expanded.

Paddy also loved baseball, and for many years, participated in a pick-up game on Sunday mornings, in James J. Braddock Park and Weehawken Stadium with friends. When that ended, he started playing stickball with family and friends on Sunday mornings, a tradition that still exists 30 years later. Paddy would often repeat the phrase, “it’s not about the game, it’s about the gathering”, indicating his love for his time spent with his family and his friends.

For some, he will be remembered for his boxing career, which certainly provided a number of thrills and memorable moments for many. But his friends and family will remember mostly the humor, the big laughs, the one-liners, the sports, the games, and the countless number of moments over the years that Paddy has provided for all of us, and it’s a legacy that will endure for many, many years to come.

A viewing will be held on Tuesday, May 28th from 4pm to 8pm at Mack Memorial Home, 1245 Paterson Plank Road, Secaucus, NJ 07094. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, May 29th at 11am at Mack Memorial Home.