Expectedly, the Pottsville community is expressing shock and grief over news about the murder of businessman Patrick J. Murphy.
Murphy was found dead in a New Orleans hotel room Thursday afternoon. Police there are currently on the lookout for the woman they suspect is guilty of killing him.
Back home, news spread quickly of his death. Many are taking to social media to express their feelings about his death:
The Pottsville Area Lady Tide soccer team posted this on its Facebook page:
Here’s a remembrance from Mazz’s Corner Cafe in Frackville. It shows Murphy taking in an Eagles game at the restaurant and bar.
Here are some other reactions from around the area:
We’ll be sure to add more reactions as they come in to us. Please feel free to share your thoughts on the news in the comments below.
Murphy in Pottsville
Image: Pottsville Business Association
It seems there wasn’t a place in Pottsville you could go without running into Pat Murphy.
He’s most known for his family’s jewelry story on West Market Street in Pottsville. It’s been there since 1913. And he’d been running the business for decades now. As the downtown rotted away, his store seemed oblivious to that. It’s always bright and vibrant.
At some point in their lives, most people in Pottsville and Schuylkill County have visited that store downtown.
Pat Murphy also seized on the opportunity presented by Cabela’s moving to the area, just outside Hamburg. Right around that time is when he purchased land near that store and built a second location for his business, at Route 61 and Interstate 78.
He was a tireless and creative promoter of his businesses, too. For the longest time, you couldn’t turn on T-102 without hearing his voice. And his roadside billboards are attention-getting, for sure.
In addition to his business work, Murphy also showed a loyalty and dedication to Pottsville.
Murphy was instrumental in organizing and promoting the initial round-the-clock American Cancer Society Relay For Life events in Pottsville.
Also, he was a fixture at any Pottsville Winter Carnival events.
He was also a former member of the Pottsville Area School District board of directors.
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Cher Ann
March 1, 2019 at 10:06 am
My condolences are for his wife and children. May God bless you and keep you safe in his loving arms. Give you the strength you need when you feel weak. Mrs Murphy I will be keeping you in my prayers, you are strong… You and your children lean on each other. Take care 💖
Joan Callaghan
March 1, 2019 at 9:24 pm
My condolences to the Murphy family. God Bless your family my thoughts and prayers go out to the whole family. God Bless and rest in peace, Pat Murphy.
Deb
March 2, 2019 at 12:24 am
Rip Mr Murphy. It is definitely a sad day😢. My condolences to his family 🙏
Honesty...it's hardly ever heard.
March 2, 2019 at 7:35 am
While I have sympathy for the Murphy family, I can’t agree with Jodi Schwartz’s post stating that the circumstances about his death don’t matter and that we’re only getting one side of the story. In reality, we haven’t received either “side” of the story yet,only the facts learned during the course of the investigation. Pat Murphy entered a “low rent” hotel at 2:00 a.m. with a woman less than half his age who has multiple convictions for prostitution. She registers for the room and he pays for the room. He accompanies her into the room from which she alone exits two hours later. He is found murdered in the bed. To paraphrase an old saying,if it walks like a hooker, talks like a hooker and acts like a hooker, it’s a hooker Pat Murphy knowingly accompanied to a cheap hotel, paid for a room, accompanied her inside and was later found dead in a bed. Pat’s own actions and choices led to his family’s grief and loss.
Shelly D Hansbury
May 13, 2019 at 9:34 pm
I wholeheartedly agree! He didn’t deserve to be murdered however his behavior and actions were anything but honorable especially to his wife and family left behind. He may have a long list of great things he was to Pottsville but the way he went out of this world I’m the company of a prostitute will just stand or in the forefront when you say his name now… God Bless 🙏 you, Mrs. Pat Murphy and family.
John C Phillips
March 2, 2019 at 1:36 pm
By definition, “murder” means an innocent person was killed!\
Laura
March 2, 2019 at 1:38 pm
Regardless what happened we are not to judge anyone at all the man is with God
Honesty...it's hardly ever heard.
March 2, 2019 at 7:02 pm
John C.Phillips states “By definition, “murder” means an innocent person was killed”. Actually, murder is defined by the intentional taking of a human life but nowhere does it specify the victim must be “innocent”.
Wendy
March 2, 2019 at 9:26 pm
Let his family have peace, I’m sure they are over whelmed,maybe the girl was in distress and he was helping her, or she acted like she was. Who knows, who cares, he didn’t deserve to have his life taken, innocent or not. My prayers to wife and kids.
Samantha
March 2, 2019 at 10:28 pm
To a real good friend pat I know your dad was a great man plus a good boxer it doent matter what you did nobody knows the truth but you n her I hope they find her soom may God be with u n ut family
John Feast
March 3, 2019 at 1:01 am
I have known Pat for years! I have purchased many watches from him. We would meet at the Irish festival in Wildwood! He loved his family and his community. It is not our job to judge, but remember Pat for all lives he touched! Pat as you always say “ God loves you”! May you Rest In Peace and the family finds solace during this tough time! God bless the family