ROSWELL, GA Reverend Thomas F. Murphy, 79, pastor emeritus of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, in Vienna, died Friday morning, September 23, 2005, at Ports Bridge Hospice in Roswell, GA. Father Murphy was born July 12, 1926, in Cleveland, a son of Edward and Johanna (Connelly) Murphy.

He attended Holy Name elementary and high schools in Cleveland, earned a bachelor's degree from Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, Michigan and completed seminary studies at Mount St. Mary's of the West Seminary in Cincinnati. He was ordained May 26, 1951, by Bishop Emmet M. Walsh.

Following ordination, Fr. Murphy served as associate pastor and later administrator at St. Patrick Parish, Youngstown from 1951-66. He served as pastor at St. Philip Neri Parish, Dungannon and St. Agatha Mission, West Point (1966-67); St. Clement Parish, Navarre (1967-77); Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Austintown (1977-86); Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Aurora (1986-88); St. Patrick Parish, Hubbard (1988-92) and St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Vienna from 1992 until his retirement on September 1, 1998.

Fr. Murphy has also served as a religion instructor at Cardinal Mooney High School; as Faithful Friar and chaplain for the Knights of Columbus; as moderator of the National Council of Catholic Women; as a member of the Diocesan Board of Education, the Diocesan Financial Advisory Committee, the Christian Formation and Education Committee of the 1976 Diocesan Synod, the Stark County School Board, and the Navarre-Bethlehem United Fund. He has served as a CYO Diocesan Director and as a member of the Diocesan Priests' Personnel Board.

A brother, John J. Murphy of Amelia, Ohio, a sister, Joan Ann Kosarsky of Roswell, Georgia and four nephews, survive him.

His parents and a brother, Edward F. Murphy, Jr. preceded him in death.

Calling hours will be held on Monday at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 4453 Warren-Sharon Road, Vienna from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.

A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Church, with calling hours one hour prior the service.

Contributions may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Trumbull County, 2415 Niles Road S.E., Warren, OH 44484.

Arrangements are being handled by the Kelley-Robb Funeral Home in Hubbard.

To view this obituary and to send condolences to the family, please visit www.kelley-robb.com

---