Father Murray

Madison: Father Donald J. Murray entered eternal life on Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at the age of 85, at home in Middleton, Wisconsin. He was born on May 10, 1932 in Chicago, Illinois, and is predeceased by his parents, William and Frances [Manning] Murray, sister June (Wally) Heilman, brother William (Mary Anne) Murray, and nephew Joseph Heilman.

After attending Little Flower Grade School in Chicago, Illinois, Father Murray continued his education at Edgewood Middle School and Edgewood High School in Madison, Wisconsin. He started his collegiate studies at St. Mary's College, Winona, Minnesota; studied Philosophy at the Dominican House of Studies, River Forest, Illinois, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts, and studied Theology at St. Paul University, St. Paul, Minnesota. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop William P. O'Connor on May 27, 1961 at St. Raphael Cathedral, Madison.

Father Murray began serving in the Diocese of Madison as a Parochial Vicar of St. Jude Parish, Beloit; St. Raphael Cathedral Parish, Madison; St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Beloit; and St. Maria Goretti Parish, Madison. He was Pastor of St. Olaf Parish, De Forest; Our Lady of Assumption Parish, Beloit; St. Barnabas Parish, Mazomanie with mission of St. John the Baptist Parish, Mill Creek, and St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Madison, from which he retired in 2001. During his years of service to the Diocese of Madison, Father Murray served as a member of the Priests' Senate (Presbyteral Council); Priest Personnel Board; Diocesan Pastoral Council; Board of Conciliation & Arbitration; Clergy Spiritual Life; Diocesan Consultor (College of Consultors), and Chaplain to the Serra Club. He also taught at Beloit Catholic High School; was Assistant to the Principal, and was a Spiritual Director.

Aside from his ministry, "Father Don" loved baseball and played in college, only to give that up for his love of the Lord. This did not stop him from becoming one of the Chicago Cubs' biggest fans. He enjoyed the north woods where he spent his vacations at the cottage along the lakeshore with his family and friends. He was very proud of his Irish heritage and cherished the time he celebrated with his friends and many Irish relatives. Father was a man of deep prayer, which was reflected in the way he would bring Christ to the world through his wonderful joy, profound care and marvelous sense of humor. Father was an avid reader, a great teacher, and lived for any opportunity to prepare a life for eternal reward, where he now rests in peace.

He is survived by his many nieces and nephews, Don (Sue) Heilman, Judy (Joe) Balistreri, Fr. Richard Heilman, Mary Jo (Joe) Vitale, Lynn (Dr. John) Kryger, Mary Beth Murray, Tom (Shelley) Heilman, Bill (Shelly) Murray, Steve Murray, Patti (Ken) Brown, (30) great and great-great nieces and nephews, and friend Sister Georgeann Roudebush.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, at ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 602 Everglade Drive, Madison, WI. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the start of the Holy Mass. Burial will take place at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 6001 W 111th Street, Alsip, Illinois at 3:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes, Development Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937. Please share a memory.


Cress Funeral Home
3610 Speedway Road
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 238-3434