James P. Murphy

HOLLY - James P.

Murphy, age 58, former Village of Holly Manager and Holly resident, died on Monday, April 23. A memorial service was held at St. Rita's Catholic Church on Wednesday, April 25 at 11 a.m. with Father David Blazek, celebrant. A committal service, military honors and burial will be held at the Bath National Cemetery, Bath.

Murphy is survived by his four children, Christina Schneider of NY, Margaret Murphy of Pennsylvania, Mary Murphy of Holly and James Murphy of Holly; his parents, James and Patricia Murphy of New York; his siblings,, Stephen, Robert, William, Thomas, Kevin, Colleen, Mary and Timothy; and his two grandchildren, Alexxis and Emily. His former wife, Hope, also survives him.

Murphy was born in Bath on April 23, 1949. He moved to Michigan in 1987 to take the position as City Manager of Big Rapids. Murphy served as the Village of Holy Manager from Dec. 1992 to Jan. 1997 and has lived in Holly since taking the position as village manager. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. " He was a very loving father. And, he was very devoted to his work," said his eldest daughter, Christine. "We felt the world of him He was a great role model to all of us." His son, James, is a senior at Holly High School.

After he served as Holly's Village Manager, Murphy took interim manager positions at the City of Clio and the City of Keego Harbor. "He had a very brilliant mind and was a likable person," said Village Councilmember Don Winglemire, who served on the village council during Murphy's term. Ardath Regan, who served as Village President during portions of Murphy's term as village manager, said "The biggest project that we accomplished with Jim Murphy as village manager is that he worked with Holly Schools, the village and the township, so that the new high school could be built within the village." She said this was done through a 425 agreement, which would allow the high school to access village sewer and water and to also have Village of Holly Police protection.

Murphy served as a member of the Lions Club, the Knight's of Columbus and St. Rita's Catholic Church. He also served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam War.