Joseph M. Murphy

Joseph M. Murphy of Eastchester, NY passed away on July 14, 2025 at the age of 90. He was born and raised in the Inwood Section of Manhattan along with his two sisters, Sheila and Kathleen. His father, Michael, was from Dunworley, County Cork, Ireland and his mother, Mary Sullivan, was from Ballyporeen, County Tipperary. He attended Rice High School in Harlem, and subsequently Iona University, both run by the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers.

Mr. Murphy served as a Platoon Sergeant with the U.S. Marine Corps, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division, from 1953 to 1956, in defense of United Nations positions in Korea. Years later, he visited Afghanistan with General James L. Jones, Jr. USMC (Ret), Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Commanding General of NATO, on a research mission to study the opium/heroin problem with the hope of finding a solution.

He received his CPA in public accounting and spent three years at Pannell, Kerr, Forster & Co. and six years at Price Waterhouse & Co. He was associated with Groupe Bruxelles Lambert “GBL”, Belgium’s second largest banking and investing company, from 1970 to 1990. He was a Director and Member of the Executive Committee of “GBL”, President and Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Affiliate, Lambert Brussels Corporation. “GBL” invested in Drexel Burnham Lambert where he served as an active Director and Member of the Executive Committee until 1989. He then went on to serve for 32 years as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Country Bank, a New York chartered commercial bank. In addition, he was also Chairman of Value Investors, Inc. a national real estate development and finance company.

Mr. Murphy has been an active Director of the Marine Corps – Law Enforcement Foundation since 1997. He was a Director of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation (Museum of the Marine Corps) in Quantico, VA. He was also a Trustee, Member of the Executive Committee and Chairman of the Investment Committee of the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas. He also served on the Board of the Marine Corps University Foundation and as Treasurer Emeritus and received the Leonard F. Chapman medal for his service.

Mr. Murphy was Chairman Emeritus of the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Advisory Committee and a member of the Board and Executive Committee of the Columbia University Medical Center Board of Advisors. He was appointed by President George H.W. Bush as a Member of the National Board of the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education. He was a Member of the Financial Advisory Board of the Congregation of Christian Brothers-Eastern American Province. He was a Trustee, Member of the Executive, Finance and Marketing Committees of Iona University for over 20 years and was designated Trustee Emeritus. He was a Director and Member of the Executive Committee of the Partnership for Quality Education, which was established in the Archdiocese of New York in 1998 by John Cardinal O’Connor.

In 2004, Mr. Murphy was also a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

He is predeceased by his wife, JoAnn, his son, Christopher, and sister, Kathleen. He is survived by his four children, Patricia, Joseph Jr. (Michele), Carolyn and Mary, his sister Sheila and several nieces, nephews & cousins. He was blessed with eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Calling hours are from 2 to 8 PM, on July 18, at Bennetts Funeral Home, Scarsdale, NY. Funeral Mass 10AM, July 19 at Immaculate Heart of Mary church, Scarsdale, NY followed by burial at Ferncliff Cemetery, Hartsdale, NY

In lieu of flowers, donations are gratefully accepted by the Marines Corp - Law Enforcement Foundation. Please visit www.MC-LEF.org