Charles P. Murphy of Port Washington, aged 81, passed away at home on May 29, 2016 with Jane, his wife of 54 years, at his side. Charles was born in 1934 in the Bronx, NY, and attended St. Raymond’s School and Cardinal Hayes High School. He received his bachelor’s degree from Iona College, a master’s degree from the State University of New York at Albany, was a PhD candidate at New York University and also enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.
Charles married Jane (née Lawliss) in 1961 in Morrisonville, NY. The couple lived for three years in Aruba, Netherlands Antilles, where Charles taught English at the Esso company school. Returning to New York in 1966, Charles and Jane relocated to Port Washington and Charles began a career teaching English at Manhasset High School, which would last until his retirement in 1995. He was also awarded a Fulbright teaching scholarship to Wokingham, Berkshire, England in 1993-1994.
Charles was an avid sailor in Manhasset Bay and on Long Island Sound, and was a member and former officer of North Shore Yacht Club in Port Washington. He was a loving husband and supporter of his wife’s singing and writing career. Charles was a devoted friend, a proud father and grandfather, an amateur historian, voracious reader and crossword puzzle enthusiast.
Charles was predeceased by his father, Joseph, and his mother, Bridget (née Curran, of Aughavas, Leitrim, Ireland). He is survived by his wife, Jane, his brothers Joseph and John, his sons Thomas (Kathleen) of Youngstown, NY, and Cecile (Fawn McGee) of Moorestown, NJ, and two granddaughters, Theodora and Wilhelmina.
A private cremation was conducted by Austin F. Knowles Funeral Home of Port Washington and a Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Manorhaven on June 4. The family respectfully suggests donations in Charles’ memory to the scholarship fund at Cardinal Hayes High School, 650 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451.
