Gilbert "Pat" Murphy

Pat was born in Jersey City, NJ on May 30, 1937 to Albert and Olive (Raffil) Murphy. He was one of 6 children, all of whom pre-deceased Pat. John “Jackie” passed away in childhood. He grew up with brothers Robert (Bob), Albert, Leroy (Buster) and little sister Olive Anne on Columbia Ave in Jersey City heights.

He attended Dickinsonson High School in Jersey City where he broke his hip during Football practice, leaving him recuperating in the hospital from January through August. This injury postponed his High School graduation a full year. While Pat was in high school, his father passed away forcing Pat to go to work to help support his family. This led Pat to work various Jobs while still in school.

He worked as a machinist making delicate instruments as well as working as an Usher in the local Stanley Movie theater. Pat even picked up a job as a good Humor ice cream truck driver. His resume continued to grow to support his family and included jobs as a Bartender and Chef at the Cloud Room Restaurant in Palisades Park, NJ. His range of talents included working as a draftsman creating plans to scale for his architect brother, Buster. He found time to serve his country by enlisting with the US Army and National Guard with his best friend, Jack Olhsson.

In these early years, Pat loved his expensive toys. He achieved his goal to be a licensed pilot. Once licensed, he purchased and owned a single engine Piper Comanche plane. He also went on to buy what some call a “Widowmaker” motorcycle. His other purchases included several boats, one of which was named the Irish Rover, a 36 foot Crisscraft WW II Subchaser.

Meanwhile, he began working in an oil refinery shop where he soon became the Union shop steward where he worked for the infamous Jimmy Hoffa. While in this role he became an assistant business manager in the Teamsters where he even piloted his plane to fly Hoffa to play golf in North Carolina.Pat soon discovered his dream job as a US Sky Marshall traveling the world. He flew everywhere from India and Lebanon to Bangkok and Amsterdam. He loved to retell stories of his adventures and share the wonders that he experienced.

Pat soon discovered skiing, becoming a ski instructor at the SI ski club. His partner-in-crime, Sonny Loops and his soon-to-be wife Gloria introduced Pat to Giovanna Riccardella at a ski club party and the rest became history. Pat and Giovanna were married on September 1st, 1972 and moved to New Brighton into Giovanna’s childhood home. Pat gained not only a wife, but a new daughter. He legally adopted Giovanna’s 4-year-old daughter, Rosanne and starting their new family. A few years later, they completed their family of 5 with daughter Regina Anne and son, Patrick Albert.

When the US Marshall service disbanded, Pat took his talents to start a 40 year career in the US Customs service as an Inspector. One of the joys at this job was taking his expert marksmanship skills to become a federal law enforcement fire arms instructor. In this role he enjoyed teaching other agents/inspectors. One of the locations he taught at was the federal firing range in the lower levels of the world trade center in NYC.

During his time in Customs, Pat was a respected member of the Emerald Society, marching in the yearly NYC St Patrick’s Day parades and becoming an honor guard to serve at funerals.

A dedicated and devoted father, Pat spent countless hours supporting his children in all of their endeavors from endless football games, driving lessons, photography field trips, deep sea fishing excursions, track meets, school plays and dances and graduations. He was most proud that all of his 3 children excelled in their education and received Master’s degrees.

In his later years, Pat became a Master composter, tending his own flower and vegetable gardens as well as donating his time to local churches and Snug Harbor Cultural Center.

Pats’ favorite role was being a grandfather, “Poppy” to his beloved boys Johnny and Ayden. He enjoyed passing all his life knowledge to them including gardening and fishing. He looked forward to their yearly vacations to the Jersey shore to fish and crab off the dock and cook their catch for dinner.

Pat is survived by his beloved wife of almost 53 years Giovanna (Riccardella) of New Brighton, three children: Rosanne Murphy of Westerleigh, Regina Murphy of Edison, NJ, and Patrick and Della Murphy of Hollywood Maryland as well as 2 amazing grandsons, John Patrick and Ayden Jerry. Pat will also be greatly missed by his extended family including Cristine Fumando of West Brighton, Frank and Patricia Riccardella of Dongan Hills and nieces Erica Holden (Adam) and Jamie Sluder (Christopher) and great nephew Connor as well as nephew Bobby Murphy and nieces Diane Carney (Mike) and Jayne Murphy of NJ with Robyn Scherzer ( Jordan) and their children Jack and Maddie.

His vast knowledge, life lessons and compassion will remembered and loved forever.

Visitation services will be held at Casey Funeral Home, located at 350 Slosson Ave, Staten Island, NY 10314. The visitation is scheduled for July 15, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm and again from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Sacred Heart Church, 981 Castleton Ave, New York, NY 10310, on July 16, 2025, from 10:30 am to 11:30 am.

The committal service will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery & Mausoleum, 340 Ridge Rd, North Arlington, NJ 07031, on July 16, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.