Obituary of Thomas Edward Murphy

LITTLE FALLS – Mr. Thomas Edward Murphy, age 95, of Little Falls, NY, passed away peacefully of natural causes with his family in attendance on Monday morning, June 21st, 2021, at the Foltsbrook Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, in Herkimer, New York. Thomas was born in Little Falls, NY, to Patrick and Mary (Welch) Murphy, on August 12th,1925. He attended and graduated from St. Mary's Academy in Little Falls and resided there for the remainder of his life. He entered the United States Navy in 1944. Tom trained as an electrician and served in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theatres in World War II, aboard the USS Chemung as an Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class (EM3C). He was honorably discharged in 1946. Tom became a member of IBEW and worked for various contractors on large construction projects to support his family. He was a devoted member of the Holy Family Parish in Little Falls, and a longtime active member of the Little Falls Elks Lodge #42. He married Dorothy L. Potrikus, the love of his life for 71 years, in 1948. They had four children. Mrs. Murphy passed away on July 5th, 2019. Thomas was a warm, caring people person, a friend to all. He diligently cared for his wife and stepped in for any relative or friend in need. He and his wife were treasured customers at many local establishments, often having surprises on the house or even by a stranger observing their devotion. A favorite lunch stop of his was definitely McDonald’s! Tom enjoyed many years at the family camp on Keyser Lake and dabbled in golf after the camp was sold. His real passion in later years was music, all kinds. He took up guitar and played with others at the Herkimer Library on Saturdays, where his singing voice was also appreciated. Tom was a role model and inspiration to his family and he will be greatly missed. Thomas was predeceased by his parents; his beloved wife, Dorothy, of 71 years; and eight siblings, Jimmy, Peggy, Helen, Teddy, Mary, Bernie, Donald and Agnes. Surviving are his four children, Thomas (Irene), of Fairfield, Iowa, Steven (Elizabeth), of New Paltz, NY, Lynn Hart Phillips (Thomas), of Saranac Lake, NY, and Sharon (Thomas) Nagle, who winter in Leesburg, Florida and summer in Piseco, New York. He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren, Tom (Ed), David, Darla, Christopher, Bevin, Melissa, Emily, Tom and Wendy. He had thirteen great-grandchildren who blessed his later years. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews with a close relationship with Carol and Jennifer Smith. Funeral services for Thomas will be handled by the Enea Family Funeral Home, 24 West Monroe Street, Little Falls, New York. They will begin on Friday, June 25th, 2021, with a Prayer of Transference, at 10:30 AM, at the funeral home and then proceed to Holy Family Parish Church, corner of East Main & John Streets, Little Falls, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM by Rev. Brian Slezak, Pastor. Interment with full military honors will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, Town of Herkimer. Calling hours at which his family will be present at the funeral home are on Thursday, June 24th, 2021, from 4 until 7 PM. We are appreciative to honor Tom with an Elk ritual service to be held on Thursday evening at 6:45 PM at the funeral home. All are welcome to attend the calling hours and the funeral and interment service the next day. It is the wish of the family that donations be accepted in Tom’s honor to the Little Falls Elks Lodge Scholarship Fund, 2 West Gansevoort Street, Little Falls, New York 13365, or to the Fisher House Foundation, Inc., 12300 Twinbrook Parkway, Suite 410, Rockville, MD 28052. The family wants to express their thanks, love and appreciation to the staffs of both Foltsbrook Senior Living Quarters and their Rehabilitation & Nursing Center for the excellent and loving care they extended to Tom and his family. Arrangements are with longtime friends, Funeral Directors, Harry J. & Kevin E. Enea and Martin L. Ciaccia (315) 823-2424. To leave an online note of sympathy please visit www.eneafamily.com.