Rev. Monsignor John P. Murphy, 86, Pastor Emeritus of St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Allentown, died Dec. 22, 2023, in his residence in Lower Macungie Township, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Shenandoah, he was the son of the late John H. and Estella (Darowish) Murphy.

He attended Annunciation School and the old Shenandoah Catholic High School, before attending St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in 1955.

He was ordained to the priesthood March 7, 1964. He was then assigned to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Allentown, where he served for 16 years. In October 1980, he became pastor of St. Thomas More parish and on Palm Sunday, April 4, 1982, he was named Monsignor John P. Murphy and was officially invested as an Honorary Prelate of His Holiness. He served St. Thomas More for 42 years, retiring in 2021.

For 60 years he gave his life as a priest in service to the people entrusted to his pastoral care. He served as director of the CYO for the Diocese, served on the Diocesan Council of Priests under every Bishop of the Diocese, since its founding in 1961, Dean of the College of Consultors, the Commission of Orders and Ministries, Diocesan Director for the Catholic Physicians Guild, the Committee for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life, served as Diocese Director of Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States and Chaplain of Legatus Lehigh Valley Chapter and worked to rally people together by creating a campaign to help fund the Cay Galgon House in Bethlehem and many other boards and groups.

He is survived by his sister, Mary Louise Padolick, of Lower Macungie Township; nephews, Joseph Padolick, of Lower Macungie Township, Kenneth Padolick, of South Whitehall Township.

Contributions may be made in his memory to St. Thomas More School, 1040 Flexer Ave., Allentown, 18103 (Attn.: Maggi Fink, director of advancement and development), or to Mercy School for Special Learning, 830 S. Woodward St., Allentown, 18103.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Jan. 6 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 1040 Flexer Ave., Allentown. Calling hours will be held 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Jan. 5 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church with a Vigil Service to follow 7 p.m. Additional calling hours will be held 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Jan. 6 in the church. To view the Mass of Christian Burial, please visit the church website, www.stmchurchallentown.org.

Arrangements were made by the J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home, Allentown. Condolences may be offered at www.jsburkholder.com.