Fr. Cyprian Murray OFM Cap.

John Harvey Murray, the only child of John and Frances Harvey-Murray was born on December 13, 1938 in New Rochelle, New York. He attended Jefferson Elementary School in New Rochelle [1943-44]; Blessed Sacrament School, also in New Rochelle [1944-48] and St. Augustine School in Larchmont, NY [1948-52]. He attended Archbishop Stepinac High School, White Plains, NY [1952-1956] and following graduation St. Mary’s College in St. Mary, KY from 1956-57 where he studied Latin.

John Murray entered the Capuchin Franciscans at St. Lawrence Friary, Milton, MA in 1957 where he received the religious name Cyprian. He received his BA at St. Anthony College, Hudson, NH in 1961 and pronounced perpetual vows at Mary Immaculate Friary, Garrison, NY in 1961. He attended Capuchin Theological Seminary, Garrison, NY [1961-1965] and was ordained to the priesthood at Sacred Heart Church, Yonkers, NY on November 28, 1964.

In preparation for his future ministry as a teacher, Fr. Cyprian studied Latin and Greek at the Catholic University of America [1963-1967] during the summer months. He served as teacher and prefect at St. Mary Seminary, Garrison, NY from 1967-1974.

Fr. Cyprian was an active member of the Society of American Magicians, the International Brotherhood of Magicians and the Magic Circle of London.

Fr. Cyprian ministered as a parochial vicar at St. Pius X Church, Middletown, CT [1974-1978] and director of St. Francis Retreat House, Garrison, NY [1978-79]. For the next 25 years [1980-2005], Fr. Cyprian was an avid preacher and offered retreats and days of recollections to many parochial communities in the New York-New England area.

In 2005 Fr. Cyprian joined the fraternity of Sacred Heart and later St. Clare Friary, 110 Shonnard Place, Yonkers, NY, the senior friar community where he resided until his death.

Fr. Cyprian was survived by his cousin Frank O’Rourke and his family of Eastchester, NY as well as several friends in the Middletown, CT area. A wake service will be held at Holy Name Friary, Ringwood, NY on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 4:30 p.m. Viewing will be held at St. Clare Friary, Yonkers, NY on Sunday, April 12, 2015 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. & 7:00-9:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church, Yonkers, NY on Monday, April 13, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. followed by interment at the Province of St. Mary Cemetery, Yonkers, NY and light refreshments at Sacred Heart Friary.

In lieu of flowers, donation will be gladly accepted for the continued care of the senior friars at St. Clare Friary, 110 Shonnard Place, Yonkers, NY 10703.

Whalen & Ball Funeral Home

168 Park Ave.

Yonkers, N.Y. 10703

(914)965-5488

www.whalenandballfh.com