Arthur "Art" Bixler Murphy

Arthur "Art" Bixler Murphy, age 64 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died on Sunday, November 19, 2006 at his residence.

Born in Princeton, NJ, January 25, 1942, son of the late Charles T. and Fannie Bixler Murphy, he had resided in Raritan Township for the past ten years, having previously lived in New York City, NY, Yonkers, NY and Patterson, NY.

Mr. Murphy was a prominent musician all of his life. He received a Masters Degree in Composition from the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, NY, where he received several BMI Composition prizes.

Mr. Murphy was a founding member of the Philip Glass and Steve Reich ensembles. He was also the Chief Transcriptionist for pianist Bill Evans. Mr. Murphy was a jazz pianist who performed until recently at many local venues.

Additionally, he was a Systems Programmer and Analyst with AON Corporation, Somerset, NJ.

Surviving are his wife of twenty-two years, Ava Vaid Murphy; three daughters, Jennifer Robinson of Doylestown, PA, Mimi Bishop of Richmond, VA and Kate Murphy of Raritan Township, NJ; a grandson, Kevin Robinson of Doylestown, PA; and an aunt, Kitty Bixler Mitman of Easton, PA.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday at 5:00 p.m. in the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ. Interment will be private. Visitation will be held Friday from 4:00-5:00 p.m. at the Funeral Home. Please visit www.holcombefisher.com for further information or to send condolences.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Hunterdon Hospice, 2100 Wescott Drive, Flemington, NJ 08822.