James A. Murphy, 68

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — James Allen Murphy, 68, of Pittsfield died Thursday, September 22, 2016, at Hillcrest Commons.

He was born in Miami, Fla., on February 7, 1948, son of Bruce and Ella Mae (Malone) Murphy. He attended schools in Miami. Before his retirement, James was the supervisor of maintenance at the Salvation Army in Hartford, Conn.

His wife was Linda Carol (Parsons) Murphy; she died on May 25, 2003.

Survivors include two daughters, Shelly Armstrong and her husband Robert Armstrong III and Roseshawn Murphy, both of Pittsfield; one son, William Shepard of Florida; 15 grandchildren, including James Murphy II, Brett Logan, Dayton Logan, Shaquisa Murphy, Linda Murphy, Keith Parsons Jr., Damien Armstrong, Drew Armstrong, Sedale Jones, Ebron Shepard, William Shepard, Malcolm Shepard, Amos Shepard, Zachary Shepard and Chase Shepard; four great-grandchildren, Holly Dawson, Isabella Murphy, Bryson Logan and Avan Murphy; one brother, George Murphy; two sisters, Madissa Brown-Bruce and Gloria Murphy; and nieces and nephews.  

His son, James Shepard, died on April 4, 2016; and three brothers are deceased, Roscoe Brown, John Willie Brown and Tommy Lee Brown.  

Funeral notice: The funeral for James Murphy will be Monday, September 26, 2016, at 11 a.m. at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams. Burial will follow in Westlawn Cemetery in Williamstown.  

A visitation will be held on Monday morning from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Donations may be made in his memory to the funeral home.