Paul J. Murphy

Paul J. Murphy, 96, of La Salle, passed away peacefully in his residence on August 19, 2024 surrounded by his loving family.

A celebration of Paul’s life will be 11:00 AM Wednesday August 28, 2024 in St. Patrick’s Church in La Salle with The Very Rev. Thomas Otto officiating. Cremation rites have been accorded.  Burial will follow in St. Vincent’s Cemetery in La Salle with full military services conducted by the La Salle/Oglesby Veterans Memorial Group.  Visitation will be in the church on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until services. The Hurst Funeral Home is entrusted with his arrangements.

Paul J. Murphy was born March 9, 1928 in La Salle to William and Mary Marcella (Maher) Murphy.  He attended St. Patrick’s Grade School and La Salle-Peru Township High School.

At the age of 17, Paul enlisted and honorably served in the United States Navy from March 1945 until March of 1949, attaining rank of acting 1stSergeant on the USS Raby Destroyer Escort during the occupation of Japan.  Paul continued to defend America through service in the United States Air Force from 1950 to 1952.

Following his honorable military service, Paul returned home to La Salle and attended LPO Junior College.  Paul married the former Josephine Lesniak in Holy Family Catholic Church in Oglesby on June 6, 1953.  Paul then began his career as a licensed barber, setting up shop in La Salle. Upon retiring from barbering, Paul became a licensed Real Estate Broker and a Certified Illinois Assessment Officer.  He became an auditor for the State of Illinois Board of Education in 1979.

Paul early on had a calling to public service running for mayor of La Salle against B.D. Bruno in 1964.  Even though he did not win that mayoral election, he was destined to hold the office of Mayor of La Salle many years later. Paul served as a member of the La Salle County Zoning Commission from 1967 to 1971.  His community service aspirations were realized when he was elected La Salle Township Assessor, serving two terms from 1973 to 1981.  Followed by two successful terms as La Salle Township Supervisor from 1981 to 1989. Continuing to build on his record of community service Paul was elected to two successful terms as Mayor of La Salle from 1989 to 1997.  He epitomized the motto “Believe in La Salle”.  His greatest records of achievement were his successful effort in extending the City of La Salle boundaries to the east, opening the door for major economic opportunities which included JC Whitney.

As a community servant, Paul was past President of the Lion’s Club, past commander of the VFW La Salle Post 4668, ten-year volunteer for Elk’s Crippled Children’s Committee, Chairman of the Salvation Army Local Food Program, March of Dimes volunteer, along with serving on many more charitable committees.  Upon retiring from public service Paul enjoyed his days cooking and entertaining family, fishing and hunting, attending grandchildren and great-grandchildren functions, ushering at St. Patrick’s Parish, gardening, playing euchre and talking with his many friends.

Paul was a loving, devoted and generous husband, father and grandfather.  He is survived by his daughters, Janice (James) Grabowski, Rose Murphy and Mary Jo (Kevin) Sterling; one son Timothy (Claire Perona) Murphy; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Paul is preceded in death by his best friend and wife of 68 years Josephine who died on August 8, 2021, one daughter and son-in-law Paula and David Crowe, one sister Rita Carbone and one brother Emmett Murphy.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Illinois Valley Food Pantry or PADS.

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