Montclair Council Memorializes Late Library Leader: Ronald Murphy

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The Montclair Town Council recognized the contributions of a recently departed community leader and library worker at their meeting this week: Ronald Murphy.

Murphy, 87, died on March 2. According to his obituary, he had a distinguished career at the Montclair Public Library, helping dozens of other librarians make their way through librarian school. His other community work includes involvement with the NAACP, acting as community advisor to the Montclair High School's Black Student Union, serving on the Glenfield Park Advisory Board and the Essex County Youth and Rehabilitation Commission, being a founding member of Million Man Montclair, and working with the Montclair Child Development Center.

An avid photographer, Murphy was “an advisor, mentor, friend, and surrogate father to countless others.” Read his full obituary here, via Martin's Home For Service.

Montclair councilman Roger Terry read a proclamation in Murph’s honor at the council meeting on Wednesday. Watch the footage below (video is cued to the proclamation).

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.