Former Southold Town Supervisor Frank Murphy Dies at 82

FormerSupervisor Frank Murphy passed away at his home in Mattituck on Sunday while he was watching the Jets play the Pittsburg Steelers in the playoff game. Murphy was 82 years old. He was with his wife Betty and four of his five children.

“He just passed away. He died of natural causes,” his son-in-law Anthony Claudio of Mattituck said on Monday morning “He was just a kind man who was ahead of his time. A lot of people will tell you what a good man he was.”

Murphy and his wife Betty had five children and six grandchildren. They were constant fixtures on the scene in Mattituck where they were active in community affairs. Murphy, a lifelong democrat served as a councilman on the Southold Town Board from 1981 to 1983 and served as Deputy Supervisor before running successfully for Supervisor, a job he held from 1984 to 1989.

Murphy had the distinction of being the oldest member of the . He was a member of the , and was involved in the Murphy also served as a New York State Parks Commissioner and was a member of the Laurel School Board. 

Murphy engaged in the practice of real estate for many years after he left politics. He was affiliated with the Jamesport office of Century 21 Agawam Albertson where he was known for his expertise handling business and commercial properties on the North Fork.

"He believed in the best for Southold Town," his son Michael Murphy said.

Murphy is survived by his wife Betty and five children, Liza Murphy, Michael Murphy, Cathleen Murphy, Barbara Murphy Smith, Mary Murphy Claudio and six grandchildren.

A wake will be held atin Mattituck on Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. and on Thursday 27 from 2-4 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at in Mattituck at 10 a.m. on Friday.