Date of death: 9/30/2005
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1967
Dr. Murphy, died at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, of lung cancer.A funeral mass was celebrated by Rt. Rev. Keith Ackerman, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Quincy. Cremation will be accorded following the services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Clean Water and Housing in Honduras Fund established by the family at CEFCU. Tom was born June 23, 1942, in Keokuk, IA, across the wide Mississippi from the family farm, the son of Miles M. and Rose (McNally) Murphy. He married Eugenia M. Loula Gustafson on May 28, 1988, in Rock Island. Tom began his education journey at St. Bede College Academy and then attended Saint Meinrad College and Notre Dame University. He was ordained a priest in 1967. Father Murphy was first assigned to St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rock Island. He spent the next 17 years pastoring parishes, founded a new parish in rural Rock Island County, and started a campus ministry at Augustana College. He worked with migrants who came to pick tomatoes and was very active in social justice activities.In 1982, he became the pastor of St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Peoria. He continued his studies for a doctorate of ministry at McCormick on the campus of the University of Chicago, where he finished in 1989. Dr. Murphy accepted directorship of White Oaks Companies of Illinois on January 25, 1988, and in 1990 he was made a vice president of Fayette Companies and chief of operations for White Oaks (a provider of addictions treatment), where he worked for 18 years. Bishop Keith Ackerman called Father Murphy to the ministry of the Episcopal Church of the Diocese of Quincy and accepted his orders as priest on September 10, 1993. Father Murphy was a member of St. Paul’s Cathedral where he conducted the 5:30 p.m. Sunday Mass and served as interim pastor at St. Andrew’s Church in Peoria, and Holy Trinity Church in Monmouth, Ill. He was presently the priest in charge of All Saints Episcopal Church in Morton, IL.Tom Murphy was a lover of justice, a champion of the poor, a friend to the friendless, and a man for all seasons. He will be missed for all times by his grateful family and friends. Surviving are his wife; two sons, Brian W. (and Susie) Gustafson, of Rock Island, and Michael B. (and Stacey) Gustafson, of Pleasanton, Calif.; one daughter, Jean M. (and Mark) Mannen, of Peoria; and ten grandchildren. He called his family the greatest blessing of his life. Also surviving are four sisters, Sr. Rosemary Murphy, O.S.B., of St. Mary’s Monastery, Rock Island, Kathleen (and Jack) O’Donnell, of Glen View, IL, Patricia (and John) Gaughn, of Fort Wayne, IN, and Sr. Margaret Murphy, O.S.B., of Peoria; and many nieces and nephews whom he loved deeply. One brother, Myles, and one sister, Mary AnnMcHugh, preceded him in death.Published in the Quad-City Times on 10/2/2005.