Chelsea District Court Clerk-Magistrate Kevin G. Murphy, the longest serving employee of the Massachusetts Trial Court with over sixty-four years of public service, passed away on September 14, 2026, at the Kaplan Family Hospice House, Danvers, MA, with his devoted and loving family by his side.
The Honorable Kevin G. Murphy, a lifelong resident of Chelsea, was appointed Clerk-Magistrate of the Chelsea District Court by Governor William F. Weld on June 21, 1995.
Prior to his Appointment as Clerk-Magistrate in Chelsea, Kevin Murphy served with distinction for over thirty-two years at Suffolk Superior Court, Boston, Massachusetts. He began his extraordinary career with the Massachusetts Trial Court as a junior clerk in 1962, advanced to senior clerk in 1965, and principal clerk in 1968. He was promoted to Assistant Clerk-Magistrate, Suffolk Superior Court, Civil Division, in 1970.
Well-known and highly respected throughout the Massachusetts Trial Court for his decades of legal knowledge, institutional memory, compassion for court users, and fierce loyalty to his devoted staff, Clerk-Magistrate Kevin Murphy was top notch. He was esteemed in the legal community of Massachusetts. Countless friends and colleagues, his beloved family and his second family consisting of his faithful staff at Chelsea Court Clerk’s Office were devastated by his passing.
Compassion was his north star. Always willing to give a helping hand to the disenfranchised, he strove to establish the Chelsea District Court as a place where people were treated fairly, respectfully, and with empathy. He took great pride in receiving feedback that the Chelsea District Court was among the best in the Commonwealth, a true community court. He was among the last of a dying breed, the “old school” court clerk, who managed his domain in his own distinct style without regard for SWOT, KPI, or performance metrics. His goal was to help people, pure and simple.
In his recreational time, he enjoyed hearing and telling good jokes, singing songs, reciting limericks and line dancing. He was quick to tell a story, often multiple times, and loved boating, snowmobiling, jet skiing and operating anything with a gasoline engine. He particularly appreciated period automobiles from his youth. He was a devoted fan of NASCAR and enjoyed thoroughbred racing, Superbowl squares and the Lottery. One unconfirmed story concerning Kevin Murphy is that he once viewed a billboard that read “Drink Canada Dry” and he went up there and did it. He was especially fond of spending time at his “cottage” on Lake Winnisquam and his timeshare in Aruba. He enjoyed Floramo’s Fifth Avenue chicken, shrimp cocktail at the Winthrop Arms, and Brown Jug pizza. He is also fondly remembered for his former part-time employment as the popular and heavy-handed bartender at The Pub in Everett, MA.
Kevin Murphy is survived by his beloved wife of sixty years Virginia (Dennehy), his adored sons Kevin, Daniel, and Salem Judicial Center Chief Court Officer Paul, their wives Joanne, Nicole, and Erin and his six cherished grandchildren: Brendan, Daniel, Jr., Ava, Kylah, Mason, and Brielle.
Clerk-Magistrate Murphy was instrumental in establishing within the Chelsea District Court a long-standing collaboration with the Harvard Defenders of Harvard Law School in representing low-income defendants in criminal magistrate hearings, Greater Boston Legal Services in representing indigent defendants in civil magistrate hearings, and Harbor COV in providing services to people affected by violence and abuse, and no cost Just A Start Mediation Services for all individuals.
He was eager to share the use of office space and courtrooms at the Chelsea District Court with the Suffolk Juvenile Court, The Eastern Housing Court, and Suffolk Probate and Family Court, providing more convenient access to justice for users of these services. He took great pride in being chosen as the first Courthouse in the Commonwealth to be furnished with electronic video boards broadcasting court user information in multiple languages.
He often said that when he put a smile on someone’s face, it was the best feeling in the world. Kevin Murphy had a heart of gold. He will be forever remembered.
“May the road rise to meet you”
Remembrance by E.D. Ward