Obituary of Thomas Murphy

Thomas C. Murphy (Tom), age 58, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Clinton Corners on January 20, 2014 He was born on September 19, 1955, to Jean Caryl (Adams) Murphy and Thomas Francis Murphy of Verbank, NY. Thomas is survived by his daughter, Rachel Leigh Murphy, age 36, of Clifton Park, NY. He was predeceased by his father Thomas Francis Murphy and his sister Karen Suzanne Murphy. Additionally, Thomas is survived by mother Jean Caryl Murphy, of The Villages, FLA; brother Kevin Michael Murphy and his wife Cindy of Stonington, CT; and brother Timothy Joseph Murphy and his wife Carol and their children Taylor, Michael and Morgan, of Tampa, Florida. Thomas was a proud and loving man. He was a gentle giant with a handsome smile that warmed your soul. He was an avid golfer, all-around sports fan, and a snappy dresser. He enjoyed cooking and was famous for his Thanksgiving mashed potatoes. His bear hugs were the best in the world. He loved Rhode Island sunrises and sunsets, and the Florida waters. Throughout his life, he had many métiers—from painter to coach, and addiction mentor to recreation director. He helped mold the futures of many young student athletes in both the Millbrook Central and Rondout Valley school districts, as well as at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY. His "tough love" and motivational techniques were symbolic of his deep love of the sports he coached and the young lives for which he felt responsible. Attitude was everything. He never failed to pass on to others the life lessons he learned and the gifts he received in his spirituality and readings. He was adored throughout the addiction services and developmental disabilities communities, and he found tremendous joy in serving individuals in need. He found hope and gratitude in his work for Veritas Villa in Kerhonkson, NY, and was instrumental in improving and saving the lives of so many. He found his true calling in caring for adults with developmental disabilities, through his work for United Cerebral Palsy of Ulster County and most recently, New Horizons Resources in Poughkeepsie, NY. For his kindness, humor, positive demeanor, patience, and dedication, he was beloved by his clients and his colleagues. He had a smile in his pocket for somebody each day. He was a compassionate man, who had found recovery in 2005, and shared his story of struggle and redemption like a badge of honor so that others could believe in, and fight for, their own sustained recovery. Thomas's daughter Rachel Leigh Murphy, honored for her own work on behalf of addiction recovery, will carry on his tradition of serving those in need. Many of Thomas's clothing and belongings will be donated to area homeless shelters and treatment facilities, whereby in his life, and in his death, he gave back. A graveside service will be planned for Spring 2014 in Union Vale, NY. We love you, Murph. Your heart may have given up, but the light of your love will forever endure. Rest proud, and in eternal peace. God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference. I am. We are. Recovery.