Archdiocesan Priest, Rev. Harold B. Murphy, Dies
Chicago (May 22, 2025) – Rev. Harold B. Murphy, pastor emeritus of the former St. Timothy Parish on Washtenaw Avenue in Chicago, passed away Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at the age of 88.
Murphy was born on Aug. 4, 1936, in Chicago. He attended St. George High School in Evanston, Loyola University in Chicago, Pope John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts, and he earned a master’s degree in English at Northwestern University in Evanston.
Murphy was ordained to the priesthood on May 2, 1968, by Cardinal John Cody, and celebrated his first solemn Mass on May 5 of the same year at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Chicago.
After ordination to the priesthood,Murphy served as assistant pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Oak Park, St. James Parish in Arlington Heights and St. Monica Parish on Foster Avenue in Chicago. Murphy became pastor of the former St. Timothy Parish in 1986 where he served for twenty years. He also taught part-time at Loyola University and other institutions.
Rev. August J. Belauskas, retired archdiocesan priest, remembered his classmate as a very kind, thoughtful man and a good priest, loved by all the people he met.
All funeral services will be held at Holy Child Jesus Parish, 2324 W. Chase Avenue in Chicago. Lying in state will take place Tuesday, May 27, 2025, from 9 to 11 a.m. and the funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m. The Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Mark A. Bartosic. After Mass, interment will be at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines.