James Joseph Murphy

October 6, 1947 - November 9, 2022

James Joseph Murphy, better known as “The Fuse”, passed away peacefully on November 9, 2022, after a courageous battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, JoAnn; his children, Jim (Emily) Murphy and Kelley (Tim) Caulfield; and his five beloved grandsons, Jack and Liam Murphy and James, Sean, and Luke Caulfield. He was also a cherished uncle to numerous nieces and nephews.

On October 6, 1947, Jim was born to Gerald and Grace Murphy in San Francisco. He grew up on 18th Avenue with his four siblings: Grace, Jerry, Ruth, and Gene. Jim made the long journey across the street to attend St. Cecilia’s School and then graduated from Sacred Heart Cathedral. He ventured across the bay to UC Berkeley in the late 1960s, where he developed his passion for Cal football and made many lifelong friends at Phi Gamma Delta. During one Cal summer, he traveled the world on a merchant marine ship, visiting numerous countries and riding elephants. In 1976, Jim joined the San Francisco Police Department and, a year later, graduated from Lincoln Law School and passed the bar. He practiced law on West Portal, where people could find him in his famous West Portal Tuxedo. He always enjoyed helping others and was a beloved “fixer” to all.

We will always remember the Fuse for his generous spirit and larger-than-life personality. Despite never seeing his Cal Bears return to the Rose Bowl, he still enjoyed life to the fullest. He filled his life with countless accomplishments, family memories, and long-lasting friendships.

Friends may visit Thursday, November 17, 2022 at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 2555 17th Avenue, San Francisco at 10:00am followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim’s name to St. Cecilia School, 660 Vicente St., San Francisco, CA 94116.