James Murray Obituary

James (Jimmy) Murray, age 86, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2024, in Norfolk, VA.  Born on June 18, 1938 in County Leitrim, Ireland, James led a life dedicated to scholarship, faith, community, family, and good times.

Jimmy began his education in the west of Ireland in Leitrim in Carrigeengeare National School, where his father John was school principal. In 1951, when his father returned to Newbliss County Monaghan to takeover at the school where his father Lawrence had been head, Jimmy then completed his primary education at Drumacoon National School. On completion, he rode his bike five miles each way to St Tiernach's Secondary School in Clones where he graduated with honours. His parents John and Mamie (Mary Josephine) were delighted that he had been called to teacher training college in Dublin, seeing him as the potential third generation of teachers in the family. They were surprised and somewhat disappointed when Jimmy quietly stated he was determined to follow his vocation as a priest.

After a few years at St Columban's Seminary in Navan, where the mission was to serve in China but was now impossible due to the new policy of the Communist government, Jimmy transferred to St Kieran's Seminary in Kilkenny, where the mission focus was the USA. After ordination, on the 7th June 1964 and having been accepted by the local bishop, Jimmy arrived in the aptly named Providence, Rhode Island.

Jimmy did not feel fulfilled in his parish work and felt drawn to missionary work near the Amazon river in the town of Santarém in Brazil.  His departure, or rather eviction, from that post has become the stuff of legends, with a singular story recurring.  Wherever Jimmy served, he was particularly concerned with justice for the poor and opposition to the military junta in Brazil.  He was exiled from the country he loved in retaliation for leading a funeral mass for the “death of freedom” in protest of the conditions.  In reality, he was lucky to be allowed to leave.

After this instance triggered a departure from the priesthood, Jimmy returned to RI and pursued a master’s degree in education at Rhode Island College and a Juris Doctor from New England School of Law, embarking on a distinguished career as an attorney and running for the local school board and mayor of Pawtucket, RI.  Jimmy was always generous as shown by regular contributions to the upkeep of the family in Ireland when his mother was left a widow aged 47.  Throughout his career, he remained committed to serving his community and providing pro bono legal assistance to those in need.

Upon retiring in 2002, Jim sought warmer weather and longer days, changing course to open a bed & breakfast named the Amazon Shamrock along the Amazon River back in Santarém, Brazil.  Unfortunately, 9/11 had just occurred and the US chose to tighten their visa restrictions. Brazil responded in a similar fashion, only allowing for six month temporary visas unless the foreign national had at least $2,000 per month of governmental income.  Jimmy was not deterred and made it work by exiting the country every six months and switching over to his Irish passport and vice versa.  All worked well until the country implemented fingerprinting, at which point he became an unwitting nomad, spending unwelcome time abroad in the neighboring countries like Venezuela.

That requirement eventually taxed him enough to sell his bed & breakfast and return to the states in 2010.  Without permanent residency, he was disallowed from opening a bank account in Brazil.  So Jimmy returned to the states with a bag full of $150,000 USD.  This slightly alarmed the customs agents, who detained him and counted the sum no less than five times, causing him to miss his connection.  Once allowed to pass through to the US, he found a spot off Broadway in Newport, RI and called that his home for ten years, making some great friends along the way until his daughter asked him to come live with her in Norfolk, VA to help ease the burden of his increasing care needs.

Jimmy descended from a large Irish family of twelve siblings. He is preceded in death by his parents, John Murray and Mamie (O'Donoghue) and his siblings Thomas, Larry, Philip, Julie Curran, John, and Maura Claughton. He is survived by his brothers Aidan, Harry, Martin, and Colm, and sister Mairéad McCaul. We could never name all his nieces and nephews.

He will be sorely missed by his daughter Meghan Murray of Norfolk, VA, and her children Alexis McGurn, and Benjamin, Cora, and Daniel Viveiros. He also leaves behind his loving son Colin Murray of Cranston, RI, his wife Dana Borrelli-Murray, and their children Scout, Declan, Bess, and Angel.

Known for his occasional though sharp wit, James will be remembered for his contributions to the community and his love for his family.  Of his many accolades, a most memorable honor was a special proclamation from Pawtucket Mayor James Doyle praising Jim for his efforts to improve the city and lives of its inhabitants while brandishing his unforgettable sense of humor.

Visiting hours will be held from 11:30 - 12:15 PM on Saturday, July 27th at Manning-Heffern-O’Neill Funeral Home, 220 Cottage St, Pawtucket, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:30 PM in St Joseph’s Church, (Holy Family Parish) 195 Walcott St, Pawtucket, RI 02860. A graveside burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, 70 Church St., West Warwick, RI 02893.

~ The Mass of Christian Burial can be viewed above the obituary or please click here ~