Bernard Murphy

After living a joyful and blessed life, Bernard John Murphy entered into eternal life on December 22, 2023. He now rests in God’s presence and joins in the glorious celebration of the birth of his Savior.

Bernie was born November 5, 1937 in Brooklyn, New York, the youngest child of Bernard and Agnes Murphy. After a happy childhood in Ozone Park, he served in the National Guard from 1956 to 1964 and in 1961 graduated from Fordham University with a degree in Business Administration. Bernie worked at American Express for five years and then dedicated the rest of his career to assisting veterans through his thirty-year position as a case manager at the Manhattan office of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Bernie moved to Nanuet in 1977 and became a faithful parishioner of Saint Anthony’s Church. After retiring from the V.A. in 1995, he continued his life of giving as a volunteer Patient Advocate at Nyack Hospital. Bernie visited patients twice a week for more than twenty years, offering comfort by filling requests for newspapers, addressing concerns, or spending a few minutes in conversation with them. He had a generous, consoling spirit and found deep satisfaction in his volunteer work and in supporting a number of local and national charities.

Bernie loved God, his family and friends, and this country. He was a devoted son, brother, uncle, friend, Catholic, and patriot. Proud of his Irish heritage, Bernie had a decades-long streak of attending the NYC and Pearl River Saint Patrick’s Day parades and marched in the NYC parade several times. Predeceased by his parents, brother Jim and a brother who died at birth, and sister Oona, Bernie is survived by his cherished sister Mary, three generations of nieces and nephews who affectionately called him UB, and many dear friends. The family thanks Home Instead and the wonderful companions who visited Bernie each week and helped him maintain an independent lifestyle.

We will miss Bernie’s delightful wit, sweet disposition, and steadfast loyalty. To Bernie, in thanksgiving for his life and with gratitude for the blessing of being a part of it, we raise a glass of his favorite beverage, a rum and Coke.

A visitation for Bernard will be held Wednesday, January 3, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Michael J. Higgins Funeral Service Inc., 321 S Main St, New City, New York 10956. A funeral mass will occur Thursday, January 4, 2024 at 10:00 AM at St. Anthony Church, 36 West Nyack Rd., Nanuet, NY 10954. A burial will occur Thursday, January 4, 2024 at 11:15 AM at St. Anthony Cemetery, 36 W. Nyack Rd., Nanuet, NY 10954.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions in Bernie’s memory be made to Covenant House or the USO.