Thomas Lawrence Murphy

Passed away in Freestone, CA, March 24, 2015. He was the beloved husband of Caroline Mann Murphy for 68 years, loving father of Patrick (Betty, deceased) T. Murphy of Alturas, Ellen (Ray) C. Gianoli of Palo Cedro and Sean (Pattie) S. Murphy of Freestone. Grandfather of 11 great grandfather of 15, and great great grandfather of 4; uncle of numerous nieces and nephews; brother-in-law of Doris (Guy) Mann of Freestone, Lois and Nick Schaeffer of Crowheart, Wyoming and Carol (James) Murphy of Bethel, CT; has cousins in the eastern U.S. and Tommy and Joseph Murphy of Co. Cavin, Ireland. Preceded in death by 3 sisters and 4 brothers. A native of Bethel, Connecticut. Age 95 years. A Sonoma County resident since 1946, tommy was a journeyman machinist, lead man and foreman, retired United Air Lines. During WWII, he was stationed at Santa Rosa Naval Air Station, meeting Caroline at the Midway Dance Hall. He was co-founder and Fire Chief of the Freestone Volunteer Fire Dept. for many years. He was a member of St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church in Bodega and an enthusiastic member of the Accordion Club of the Redwoods and the Five Valley Accordion Club, Hamilton, Montana. In his early years, Tommy got his pilot's license before a driver's license by sneaking off to Danbury Airport, (his parents forbid his flying), knew Aviator Frank Hawks, met Charles Lindberg. He built his own woodshop and sailboat, canoed, ice-skated, had a fur trap-line, knew the woods and lakes. He witnessed the glow of the Hindenburg crash, lived near B.T. Barnum, neighbor to stilt Barnum and Bailey Circus stilt walkers. He was close with his uncle, Brigadier General George S. Brady, shook hands with Thomas Edison who lived across the road from another uncle in New Jersey. He knew Latin, and could read Les Miserables in French, interpreting the French airplane plans for United Airlines. In the Navy, he was on a Blimp (K-ship) crew off Florida. He lost his roommate in the only Blimp shot down in the war. As an aviation machinist mate, besides Santa Rosa Naval Air Station, he was in the Philippines and Solomon Islands on Samar, Uliti, Okinawa and Guam. Later, Tommy flew Caroline and 10 month old son, Patrick, from Santa Rosa to Connecticut and back in a Cessna 120. United air Lines has some patents on things he invented. He solved a black box recorder problem. The Air force still uses a tool he invented. Tommy did crossword puzzles every morning, gloried in his flying, accordion playing, trout fishing, and danced a wonderful waltz. He loved crewing in San Francisco Bay sailboat races. He figured out how to fix seemingly impossible mechanical/machine problems. After saying, "It can't be done," he would find a way. He made tools that didn't exist, and fixed things other people gave up on. A man of highest integrity, he pondered things. Hidden in his quiet reserve was a quick Irish wit. He was patriotic, politically informed and community minded, always ready to lend a hand. Due to the love and generosity of family, friends, neighbors, and care-givers, after a stroke nearly two years ago, Tommy was able to remain in the home he built with Caroline to the end. He went to sleep on Monday and didn't awake on Tuesday. The family thanks you all. Visitation will be held, Friday, April 10, 2015 from 11:00 AM TO 5:00 PM at PARENT-SORENSEN MORTUARY-SEBASTOPOL, 301 So. Main Street, Sebastopol, CA. The Vigil Service will be held at 6:00 PM at the mortuary. Family and friends are also invited to attend the Funeral Mass, Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 11:00 AM at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church, Bodega. Interment immediately following at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Bodega. The family prefer memorials be made to St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church, St. Teresa's Restoration Fund or to Calvary Cemetery, all which can be directed to P.O. Box 339, Occidental, CA 95465.