Edward "Eddie" James Murphy's Obituary
Edward “Eddie” James Murphy was born to Irish immigrant parents James and Bridget McGlue Murphy in Lincolndale, New York, on July 25, 1937. Eddie was raised in Little Neck, New York, along with his brothers James, Frank (Francis), Billy (William), John and his sister Ann. He died peacefully at home in Covington, Louisiana, on February 25, 2026, at the age of 88.
On the flip of a coin and at the urging of an instrumental teacher, Eddie left his childhood home in New York for Louisiana to attend LSU and to study civil engineering. While at LSU, Eddie met his future wife Patricia Dora Rhodes Murphy of Covington, Louisiana. After graduating from LSU, Eddie and Patty were married and together they raised four wonderful children Patrick, Brennan, Shawn and Ryan and were blessed with nine grandchildren Rhodes, Eve, William, Grace, Edward, Liam, Luke, Ann and Mickey. Eddie also has a loving son-in-law Matt Curley (Shawn) and a devoted daughter-in-law Raquel Jumonville Murphy (Ryan).
After graduating from LSU, Eddie served in the United States Navy with the Coast and Geodetic Survey, an outfit of 125 Civil Engineers tasked with mapping the ocean floor. His ship was instrumental in the underwater offshore testing of the atomic bomb after World War II. Eddie and his shipmates also took part in mapping the route for the direct phone line between President John F. Kennedy and Soviet Leader Nikita Khrushchev across the Atlantic Ocean to Brest, France.
After completing his naval service, Eddie moved to Covington and worked as a civil engineer and land surveyor for over 50 years. He practiced surveying until recently, battling swamps, snakes, and other critters, often taking on “one more job” for a friend or acquaintance as a favor—long after he likely should have retired his surveying equipment. In addition to serving as an engineer, Eddie owned and developed residential and commercial properties in Covington and always enjoyed meeting and working with the tenants and businesses who occupied these properties.
Eddie also had a passion for golf, which was cultivated at an early age as a caddy on many golf courses on Long Island. He watched with great admiration and enthusiasm as one of his closest friends, Dave Goodyear, built Money Hill Country Club, where Eddie became the first member. Eddie treasured his time on the golf course with his brothers and his friends and was hitting golf balls until just a few months before his death.
The three most important things to Eddie were his faith, his family, and his friends. Eddie was a lifelong devoted Catholic. Eddie and Patti were married in St. Peter Church in Covington and were members of St. Peter’s for more than 50 years. He was a daily Mass communicant and had a great devotion to the Rosary. He maintained a long relationship with St. Paul’s School, where his sons and two of his grandsons attended, and the Christian Brothers who served and taught at St. Paul’s, and often attended Mass on its campus. He counted on his faith in God with great strength even as he faced his final days.
Among all his many loves, Eddie loved nothing more than being “Grampy” to his nine grandchildren. He was so proud of each of them and loved them with all the strength his heart could muster. He always wanted to know what his grandchildren were doing, what they were studying and when he would see them again. Each time he talked with them, they felt that love because he devoted all his attention on them in those moments. Eddie told them many stories of his adventures in the Navy, his childhood friends and other unbelievable experiences. Each story seemed so amazing and funny that his grandchildren often repeat those stories and talk about the characters who were such an important part of Eddie’s life. He loved spending time with his grandchildren on annual summer vacations at the beach, at their sporting events and musical concerts, during holidays, and just about any other time he could find to spend with them.
Everyone loved Eddie. No matter the place, location, or even the country he was in, Eddie made new friends with ease, regaling them with funny stories and finding a common connection seemingly without effort. Eddie was naturally curious about everything, wanted to know how things worked, or just hear about the history of building, a business, or someone’s life. His disarming demeanor and the genuine interest he showed in everyone he met naturally drew people to him in a special way. His family is very grateful for the well wishes and visits he received from many of those friends in his final days.
Eddie is preceded in death by his parents James and Bridget McGlue Murphy and his brothers James, Frank, Billy and his sister Ann. Edward is survived by his wife Patty, his children and their spouses, his 9 grandchildren and his brother John (Ann). The family would like to extend their deepest thanks and appreciation to the wonderful caregivers who have shown such great devotion to Eddie, particularly in the last several months, and all of his friends who filled his life with such joy.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saint Paul’s School Our Lady of Peace Chapel.
Family and Friends are invited to visitation at St. Peter Catholic Church in Covington at 9:30AM and funeral Mass at 11:00AM on Friday, March 6, 2026. Interment will follow at St. Joseph’s Abbey cemetery.
E. J. Fielding Funeral Home of Covington, Louisiana, is honored to be entrusted with Mr. Murphy’s funeral arrangements. His family invites you to share thoughts, memories, and condolences by signing an online guestbook at https://www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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