Thomas F. Murphy Sr.

Thomas Murphy Sr., age 79, died on December 17, 2024 at his home in Goldsboro, Maryland. Tom was born in Baltimore on February 24, 1945. He attended St. Rose of Lima in Brooklyn, Maryland for grade school and then graduated from Brooklyn Park High School in Brooklyn Park, Maryland. In High School, Tom was a Member of the United States Navy Reserve and was honorably discharged. In 1963, Tom enlisted in the United States Army and was a member of D Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Division. He was deployed to the Republic of Vietnam for 11 months and 16 days from Sept 18th 1965 to July 20th 1966. While there as a Specialist 4th class, he was a M14 Rifle Sharpshooter, a 106 Recoilless Rifle Expert Gunner, a Rifle Expert and Pistol Marksman. He earned the National Defense Service Medal, The Air Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and a Purple Heart Combat Infantry Medal from a landmine on October 24, 1965. Tom was honorably discharged in 1969 after serving in the United States Army Reserves after returning from Vietnam. Tom moved his family from Baltimore to the Eastern Shore of Maryland in 1976. He was a Master Electrician and very skilled carpenter and general contractor. Throughout his life he leveraged those skills as owner of Murphy Electric, Manager of the Chesapeake Bay Model and General Manager at Castle Marina. In 1988/89 he built and opened Murphy’s Pub in Centreville, Maryland. He also worked at The Severn School in Annapolis and The Thomas Group Construction. However, his 2 favorite jobs may have been his position as Head Professor at “Barn School” where he taught invaluable life skills to his grandchildren and as “The Minnow Man” where he sold bait and told stories (mostly true) during his retirement at his home in Goldsboro. He loved all his pets over the years, but especially his beloved “Chloe”. Tom loved living the Eastern Shore life on and near the water… boating, fishing, crabbing, catching minnows and watching sunsets. He also enjoyed spending time outdoors with his children and grandchildren teaching them important life lessons! Tom was an incredibly proud veteran and lifetime member of the American Legion. Tom is survived by his wife of thirty years, Christine Murphy. Also survived by his former spouse, Margaret Murphy. Children: Tom Murphy Jr. (Jennifer), Susan Murphy Johnson (Ryan), Caron Ellzey Inglis (Jeremy) and Sarah Ellzey Hollway. Grandchildren: Thomas Murphy (Peyton), Bridget Murphy, Brian Murphy, Emma Johnson, Claire Johnson, Eli Johnson, Finely Inglis, Amelia Inglis, Norah Inglis, Ellie Hollway and Delaney Hollway. Sister Linda Galford and brother William Murphy (Rosemary) as well as many other loving relatives. He was proceeded by his parents, William Murphy Sr. and Evelyn Jordan Murphy. Visitation will take place on Friday, December 27, 2024 from 9:30-11:30am. There will be a Prayer Service at 11:30 and luncheon following at Fellows, Helfenbein and Newman Funeral home at 408 South Liberty Street in Centreville, Maryland. Tom will receive the greatest honor and be buried in Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in Tom’s name to one of these organizations: Tunnel to Towers [https://t2t.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/In-Memory-of-Online-Form_Interactive-Online-Form.pdf] Wounded Warrior Project [https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/default.aspx?tsid=10043&ovr_acv_id=5246] St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital [https://www.stjude.org/give/memorials-and-dedications.html] Compass Hospice [https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E354255&id=2]

Thomas F. Murphy Sr.

February 24, 1945 - December 17, 2024