Sad passing of Portmagee native - Thomas Gerald Murphy

January 24th, 2013
by The Kerryman

 Thomas Gerald Murphy was born on April 16, 1938 in Portmagee County Kerry Ireland.  He sailed to America in 1958 at the age of 20. He met Mary Teresa McKeon from Tullamore County Offaly in New York and they married October 20th, 1962.  They have one daughter, four sons and six grandchildren.

He worked as a carpenter.   He had a very deep faith and lived his life according to that faith.  He valued his family, his friends, and Kerry football, the order of importance is debatable. A piece of his heart was always in Ireland.  He loved the music and enjoyed dancing when the opportunity presented itself.    

Tom played football for South Kerry and was on the same team with well known footballer's Mick O'Connell and Mick O'Dwyer.  In New York he played for the Kerry Senior team for a number of years starting in '59 and helped them to a number of championship wins.  He was at Gaelic park in NY almost every Sunday afternoon  and was on the Minor football board and coached his sons' teams for years, passing on his love of the sport to the next generation.

Tom loved all sports but Gaelic football remained his first love.  He returned to Ireland a number of times. In the last few years Tom's legs began to fail and he had to use a walker to get around so he couldn't get to the bars to watch the games.  Instead he connected the computer to the TV and he and his friends were able to watch the live broadcasts from home.

He listened to all the club games on Kerry Radio.  His iTouch was always in his pocket and he kept up on Kerry news and faithfully listened to Weeshie's broadcasts.  As soon as the team was picked he was on the phone discussing them with Pat Fitzpatrick (Ballinskelligs).

We were blessed to have had him in our lives for so long, he will be sorely missed.    
His Family

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