Obituary of Thomas F. Murphy

Thomas “Tom” F. Murphy, age 76, of Cheshire, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, March 25, 2015, at The Regency House in Wallingford. He was the devoted husband to his “bride”, Maureen “Moe” (Dowden) Murphy, for over 24 years. Tom was born on March 23, 1939, in New Haven, son of the late Francis Michael and Mary Anna (Dineen) Murphy. Throughout his life, Tom was an avid sports enthusiast loving basketball, football, golf and bowling. While attending Hamden High, he was distinguished as a team member of “ The Five Iron Men,” for the 1956-1957 basketball season. Following high school, he attended Fairfield University and Quinnipiac University, earning his Associate’s Degree in Science. Subsequently, Tom served with pride and honor as a Private First Class in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, before being honorably retired. He then returned to Hamden to work with his dad at the family-owned Hamden Insurance Agency and later, at the Children’s Center. In 1981, Tom was employed as an officer by the CT Department of Corrections, gradually moving up the custody chain to become Captain Murphy, aka “505,” day shift commander at the Cheshire Correctional Institution. He participated in both the Correctional Golf League, teaming with his partner in pranks, Mr. Kerry Austen of Cheshire and the Bowling League with his staff and colleagues. In 2001, after providing twenty years of “fair, firm, consistent” supervision and leadership, Tom retired from his post. He was known for his phenomenal wit and prankish nature, his original “Tommy-isms” and his ability to achieve favorable outcomes, navigating through crises and dangerous situations. Tom is the beloved Dad and “Papa Smurf” of sons, Sean and Robert “RJ” and son-in-law, Curtis “Curt” and daughters, Amanda “Mandy” and Alanna “Rae-Rae” and the loving Grampa to Ava and Salem. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Mrs. Andrew F. Dowden, Jr , “Young Lady” and several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, as well as the estranged families of his son, Bryan and daughters, Robyn and Melissa. Tom was predeceased by his cherished granddaughter, Emaline “Emmie Bear” Lantagne. Tom’s family would like to take this opportunity to extend their sincere appreciation and thanks to Lecia, RN, nursing supervisor and the staff of The Regency House for the love and caring services they gave to Tom and the family, during these past several months and to Kristee, RN and Dr. Rubin of Midstate Medical Center, on Wednesday, March 25th. during Tom’s final hours. Tom’s funeral procession will leave the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 South Main Street, Cheshire, CT 06410 on Monday, March 30, 2015 at 11:15 AM, for a Mass of Christian Burial, to be celebrated by Reverend McCarthy, at 12 PM at St. Bridget Church, 175 Main Street, Cheshire. Interment will follow in St. Bridget Cemetery, Higgins Rd., Cheshire. Friends may greet the family at the funeral home, on Monday from 9 AM to 11 AM. At the request of his family, memorial contributions may be made to the Alanna Murphy Scholarship Fund, c/o TD Bank, 595 Highland Avenue, Cheshire, CT 06410.