Ira E. Murphy

Ira E. Murphy, died on Thursday, March 26, 2026, peacefully at home at the age of 96. Born in Westerly, RI, November 10, 1929, he was the son of the late Ira E. Murphy Sr. and Helen (Phelan) Murphy. He was the beloved husband of Fae (Tilley) Murphy, whom he met at URI and married December 29, 1951.

Ira grew up in Ashaway and graduated from Westerly High School, class of 1947, where he was his Class President, a three-sports athlete, and WHS athletic hall of fame inductee. He graduated from the University of Rhode Island College of Engineering in I951, where he played center field for four years, and was co-captain of the Baseball team. He was a member and president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and was inducted into Sachems, the Campus Honor Society. He was commissioned 2LT from ROTC at graduation and served two years active duty as an Industrial Engineering Officer at the Philadelphia Army Depot. He was a graduate of the US Army Command and General Staff College and retired after serving over 30 years in the US Army Reserves as Colonel in the Military Intelligence Branch.

Ira had a fulfilling career spanning 37 years in various manufacturing positions in New Britain, CT, with the Steel Strapping Division of the Stanley Works and later with Acme Steel Co before retiring in 1990. During this time, he resided with his family in Newington, CT and Wethersfield, CT, retiring to Jamestown in 1990. He was active in the Episcopal Church in both Newington and Jamestown, having served as warden, vestryman, 33 years as a lay reader, and on numerous parish committees. He had been a 16 gallon blood donor in earlier years and was a member of the Jamestown Lions Club. He cherished his family, enjoyed growing roses, golf, fishing, and life on the bay.

In addition to his wife Fae Murphy of Jamestown, he is survived by four children; Deborah Hammersley and her husband Robert, Katherine Ancona and her husband Frank, Andrew and his wife Debra, and Stephen and his wife Karen. He is also survived by several cousins, niece, nephew, his twelve grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He was predeceased by sister and brother-in-law, Susan and Arthur Coy.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 11:00am at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, 87 Narragansett Avenue, Jamestown, RI.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St. Matthew's Memorial Rose Garden Fund, the Potter League for Animals, or the URI Athletic Association.