Paul Thomas Murphy

Paul Murphy, known to friends as Murph, died suddenly on May 31, 2024 while enjoying a walk in the woods near his farm in Coatesville. 

He is survived by his beloved wife and partner, Colleen Mooney, daughter, Cait Murphy, son, Jack Murphy, brother, Andrew Murphy, MD (Karen Murphy) and nephews Ian, Aaron and Jared. He will also be dearly missed by Colleen’s children.

Born February 20, 1959 to Thomas P. and Josephine (nee Smith) Murphy in Darby, PA.  Murph graduated from Cardinal O’Hara High School in 1977 and graduated from Villanova University School of Business in 1981 with a degree in Accountancy.

After graduation, Murph worked briefly as an accountant at Alco before joining the U.S. Air Force in 1984.  He served his country as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force and as a fighter pilot for the Pennsylvania National Guard based at Willow Grove Air Force Base. “Cheeks” as he was known, logged over 1,000 hours of flight time across the United States and Central America before being honorably discharged after nearly a decade of service.

With over 30 years of experience in the financial industry, he was a seasoned leader, strategist, and innovator in the Asset Management and Wealth Advisory spaces. He was Chief Marketing Officer of Econometrics Capital.  Prior to joining EC, he was the Senior Vice President and Wealth Management Officer of Ephrata National Bank where he was responsible for trust company acquisitions and initiated an innovative 401k partnership.  Before joining Ephrata, he was the founder and principal of Percheron Strategic Advisors, a consulting firm that provided hands-on advice and guidance to a broad range of firms in the financial sector.  He served as Managing Director of Spire Investment Partners, where he was instrumental in growing its Assets Under Management. He began his career at Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley.

With the five children grown, he and Colleen had been rehabbing their farm in Cheshire Hunt Country and working to be good stewards of the Brandywine River which runs through the property.  He enjoyed his horses and dogs and who loved being part of the community. He was a frequent volunteer at Cheshire Hunt events and served on the Board of Plantation Field Equestrian Events.  He loved his fly fishing trips to the Wind River Valley, Wyoming, and his time spent in Jost Van Dyke in the BVI. 

A service to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, June 8th at 1:00 PM, followed at 2:00 PM by a Celebration of Life in the form of a good old fashioned Irish Wake at Fox Moon Farm in the field he loved to mow on his tractor. Everyone seems to have a Murph story, please come and share yours.

Drop in at any time and come dressed “farm casual” to celebrate the life of this wonderful man.

To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com

Arrangements by the Kuzo Funeral Home, Kennett Square, PA.

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