Falmouth's Jim Murphy: Novelist, BC Professor Dies at 83

Falmouth’s Jim Murphy—a Korean War veteran, novelist, and longtime Boston College professor—has died at the age of 83.

Murphy passed away Sept. 27.

He taught at BC’s Woods College of Advancing Studies for 28 years and wrote the books “Quonsett,” “Night Watcher,” “The Mill,” “They Were Dreamers,” and “The Green Box.”

One of his students at BC was Marty Walsh—now Boston’s mayor.

A wake will be held Oct. 11 at Chapman Cole & Gleason funeral home in Falmouth. A service will be held Oct. 12 at the First Congregational Church Fellowship Hall in Falmouth.

This is Murphy’s obituary:

Author and educator James Francis Murphy Jr. of Falmouth died on September 27 after a long illness. He was the best friend and beloved husband of 54 years of Margaret Ann (Matthews). Born on June 27, 1932, he was the cherished son of the late James and Rose (Horan) of Newton, Mass. A 1950 graduate of Our Lady Help of Christians High School in Newton, he served in the Korean War with the 7th Infantry Division, 17th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Battalion Honor Guard, and King Company. He graduated from Boston College in 1958 and went on to earn an M. Ed. from Framingham University, followed by an M.A. from Northeastern University. He was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to teach in Aberdeen, Scotland in 1965 and a Whiting Scholarship to lecture at Dublin City University in 1990.

Jim dedicated his life to the classroom, with a career in teaching and administration that spanned more than five decades, beginning in South Boston, followed by Hopkinton and Natick. A summer resident of Falmouth Heights since 1964, he became a year-round resident in 1973 when he was appointed head of the English Department at Sandwich High School, where he directed numerous theatrical productions. He later spent over 25 years as an English and public speaking professor at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, establishing the school’s first drama program, and 28 years as a creative writing and Irish literature professor in the Woods College of Advancing Studies at Boston College, which honored him in 2010 with a scholarship in his name for making a difference in the lives of his students. That same year, he was inducted into the Natick High School Wall of Achievement with the Herve B. Lemaire Award for Excellence in Education.

His novels include “Quonsett,” “Night Watcher,” “The Mill,” “They Were Dreamers” and “The Green Box.” His essay Freedom Village was chosen as the lead story in “Chicken Soup for the Veteran’s Soul,” and also appeared in “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Older & Wiser – Our 101 Best Stories.” A few months before his death, he completed a World War I era novel titled “After They’ve Seen Paree.”

Family was his main focus, and he was a devoted father, mentor, and friend to his six children. He and Margaret raised them with the family motto, “love one another and stick together.” He was known for his quick wit coupled with a kind heart, a gift he left to: Nina Murphy and Bart Ferris and their children, Ryder and Reyn of Bristol, RI; Joanna and David Swanson of Hillsborough, N.C.; Ted Murphy of Falmouth; Sarah Murphy and Chris Bennett of Falmouth; Courtney Murphy of Lexington, Mass; and Seton Murphy and his fiancée Megan Tuxbury and their daughter, Milah of Newton, Mass. He was predeceased by his sister, Dorothy O’Shea of Petaluma, CA.

Visitation is Sunday, October 11 from 2 to 7 PM at Chapman Cole & Gleason, 475 Main Street, Falmouth.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held Monday, October 12 at 10 AM at First Congregational Church Fellowship Hall, 68 Main Street, Falmouth, to which friends are invited to share their memories.

A memorial Mass will be held Friday, November 13 at noon at Our Lady’s Parish, 573 Washington Street, Newton.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Scholarship Association of Falmouth, P.O. Box 369, Falmouth, Mass., 02541 with the notation: Jim and Margaret Murphy Scholarship, which will benefit a Falmouth High School graduating senior planning to attend Cape Cod Community College.