Thomas W. Murphy

Waltham – CPO Thomas W. Murphy, USN (Ret.), died on Friday November 15, 2013 in Saint Elizabeth's Hospital in Brighton. He was 85.

Tom was born in Lowell on July 2, 1928, a son of the late Thomas P. and Florence (Kelly) Murphy. He was raised in Lowell and earned his bachelors of science degree from Upper Iowa University and had joined the Navy in 1946. After twenty years of service to his country he retired and became the NJROTC Naval Science Instructor at Woburn High School. It was there where Tom met his future bride, Barbara A. Breslin, who was a foreign language teacher. In the midst of a snowstorm the couple married on February 16, 1973 at St. Catherine of Genoa Church in Somerville. Tom and Barbara settled in Arlington and had been residents there until moving to Waltham seven years ago.

After retirement the couple enjoyed traveling overseas, especially to England and Ireland. Tom was a voracious reader and was drawn to all things history related. He was very proud of his time spent in the Navy and made it a point, on a weekly basis, to help any veteran who may have needed guidance. He coordinated Veterans Services at the Retired Men's Club of Arlington (RMCA) and was a member of the Elks, Knights of Columbus, American Legion Post 39, the Fleet Reserve Association, the Tin Can Sailors and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Since moving to Waltham both Tom and Barbara were very active at their new home parish, Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted.

Besides his wife Barbara A. (Breslin) Murphy, he is survived by his aunt, Claire Quinn of Woburn; his cousins, Richard Quinn of Pennsylvania, Robert Quinn of Winchester and John Quinn of Arlington; his sisters-in-law, Rose L. Blake of Cambridge and Joan B. Fallon of Lexington and is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Tom's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Thursday November 21st, from 3 to 7 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Friday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham, where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.

Memorial donations may be made to Our Lady's Parish, 920 Trapelo Road, Waltham, MA 02452 or to the charity of one's choice.