Murphy was born on March 16, 1923, in Brooklyn, New York City and raised in Merrick, New York. He attended Merrick Grammar School and Wellington C. Mepham High School. Murphy then enrolled at St. John's University, but left to enter the U.S. Army during World War II. He served in both the European and Pacific theatres and rose to the rank of major.[1][2]
After the war, Murphy completed an LL.B. degree at the St. John's University School of Law in 1949 and was admitted to the New York state bar that same year. He then earned a B.S. degree from Fordham University in 1951.[3] Murphy practiced law in Seaford, Nassau County, and entered politics as a Republican.[4] In 1952, he married Teresa, and they had ten children.
In 1954, Murphy was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States.[3] On November 2, 1971, he was elected to the New York State Senate (4th D.), to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Edward J. Speno, and took his seat in the 179th New York State Legislature during the special session in December 1971. In November 1972, after re-apportionment, Murphy was nominated for election in the 12th State Assembly District.
Murphy was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1973 to 1978, sitting in the 180th, 181st and 182nd New York State Legislatures. In November 1978, he was elected to the New York Supreme Court.[5] Murphy was re-elected in 1992 and retired in 1998.[1]
Murphy died from complications of a stroke on August 11, 2015, and was buried at the Long Island National Cemetery.[2][6]
Nassau County District Court Judge Terence Murphy (born 1956) is his son.[7]