DANBURY—Deacon William D. Murphy died on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. He was 82 years of age.
Bishop Frank J. Caggiano said Deacon Bill will be remembered for his many years of faithful and loving service to St. Gregory the Great Parish, the larger Danbury community, and the Diaconate program of the Diocese of Bridgeport. Please pray for the repose of the soul of Deacon Murphy and for the consolation of his family,”
On December 13, 1978, William was accepted into the Diaconate Formation Program. He was ordained to the diaconate on June 13, 1981, by Most Reverend Walter W. Curtis at Saint Augustine Cathedral. William was assigned to serve as deacon at Saint Gregory the Great Parish in Danbury, where he remained in joyful service until his retirement on his 75th birthday, October 2, 2016.
William actively served Saint Gregory the Great Parish where he was assigned and became an integral part of serving his brother deacons in his role on the Diaconate Council dating back to February 2014. He represented deacons in his vicariate and focused on their continuing formation and was appointed as Deacon Advocate of the Tribunal, even in his retirement. William also served as the Director of Catholic Scouting before dedicating himself fully to the Danbury Public Schools and the parishioners he served.
William Murphy was born on October 2, 1941, in Danbury to Josephine and Francis Murphy. He was baptized on October 26, 1941, and received the Sacrament of Confirmation on June 6, 1953, at Saint Joseph Church, Danbury. He attended Danbury High School and then joined the United States Marine Corps in 1960 and remained in service to our country until January 1966.
On October 2, 1965, William and Patricia were married at Sacred Heart Church and they raised two children, William and Patricia, in Danbury. William attended Western Connecticut State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree (1968) and master’s degree (1974) in Elementary Education and Administration. William joined the Danbury Public Schools as an Elementary School Teacher.
The wake will be held at Saint Gregory the Great Church, 86 Great Plain Rd., Danbury on Sunday, June 16 from 3:00 to 6:00 pm. The funeral will be at Saint Gregory the Great Church, 86 Great Plain Rd., Danbury on Monday, June 17 at 11:00 am. Reverend Michael Dunn will be the celebrant and Deacon Rich Kovacs will be the homilist. Committal will follow at Saint Peter Cemetery, 71 Lake Avenue Ext., Danbury.
