Thomas Murphy Obituary

A great surgeon! I was a Respiratory Therapist at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, Illinois. He was a great teacher and encouraged me to go to Medical School which I did. I learned many things from him, and I will always remember him.

Dr.murphy performed a 7 by surgery on me dec31 1997. Im still here in2019. When I asked him why 7 by pass was done he all those arteries were closed but I didnt charge you more.i will never forget our conversation the night to how he regaled with love for adventure.he really epitomized the real renaconced man.you will never be forgotten.a true mench..

Gone from here but not forgotten.

My earliest memory of the Murphy family was getting lost in their house. My mother used to clean their house and would bring me when she had no one to watch me. I remember playing with Erin and being taken for bike rides by the older sisters Annie and Kathleen. I remember watching Star Wars, my favorite movie in the world ever, at their house and their pet hamster (I was not allowed pets). My mom was given the opportunity to work at St. Francis, where she stayed for years as a second job to help pay for my education and put herself through college. I remember spending summer weekends in the ER break room with my mom's college books to keep me entertained. Eventually my mom left to pursue her passion in technology and became an in demand data architect. I, having a passion for healthcare, found my calling in healthcare informatics and recently earned my Master's in the same. I have a wondeful career at a large healthcare system today. I will always be grateful to this family for being kind to us and for helping to open doors that helped pave the way to a better future for my mom and me. God bless you all and thank you forever. Rest in peace Dr. Murphy.

Dr. Murphy was a great cardiac surgeon. He performed a triple bypass on my mom 24 years ago. She recently passed on November
7, 2014 and was 2 months shy of her 97th birthday. She lived a long life because of Dr. Murphy. Thank You Dr. Murphy and God Bless You! To the family, I pray that God gives you strength during this difficult time.

To the Murphy family,

My mom had an illness which affected her heart at a young age. Dr. Murphy performed a heart valve replacement for her in the 1980's. She so much admired and appreciated Dr. Murphy. He made her feel at ease and made her laugh at a difficult time. My mom lived for another 25 years having a great life. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

My thoughts and prayers are wit you and your family on Tom's death. I knew Tom as a Pre-Med at ND from 1952-55.I lived next door to Tom and Jerry Kenny in Dillon Hall our junior year.I'm not surprised to hear of his many accomplishments.He was a truly a larger than life guy. I prayed for him last Sunday at St.Francis Churh in Willmette. You lived lhere for many years I understand. My daughter lives there now.He was a wonderful person.I've missed seeing him all these years.Distance separates us all, but we can all look forward to our final reunion,I pray. Francis I. Kittredge M.D. Rockport, Maine.

Our family will forever be grateful for the skills of such an amazing heart surgeon and the warm heart of such a kind man. Dr. Murphy performed two bypass surgeries on my dad as well as one later on my mom.
God's blessings and deepest sympathies to Dr. Murphy's family.
Joseph and Claire Krieger Family
Lincolnwood IL

I asked Tom to operate on my dad in 1972 when we were both on staff at Northwestern Memorial. Prior to that when we were students we shared an apartment on N. Sedgewick for a short time. Tom may have been the most enthusiastic, optimistic member of the class of '59. He leaves us with great memories.
John Romine MD, NUMS '59.

My condolences to the family Dr Murphy operated on my mother 25 years ago he was a very kind man

I still remember as a new nurse at St.Francis Hospital Dr.Murphy walking the halls with his entourage.May God bless you for all the lives that have been enriched by your hands...

dr murphy was a life saver!!! my sincerest condolences! He worked on my father bernard garland in 1976 doing a 5 by pass surgery. I am proud to say he is 91 and 3/4 years old! Candy Garland

My deepest sympathy to your family.
Let us know if we can assist the children.
Tina Adolph
Woodside School Office

Thank you Dr Murphy for all your support and guidance as director of the SHU/Open Heart Unit at SFH. I learned so much and felt grateful to be part of that team.

Jane, Tim and Family,
the Sunfish and Soling Fleets of Wilmette have lost a true friend. Dr. Tom had a big heart and repaired many. Our prayers and wishes are with you.

Dear Jane and Family, The Shea family sends our sympathy to you on the passing of wonderful Tom. He had an amazing life and made so many contributions in every area of his wide ranging interests. We are fortunate to have known him and his good works. Mary and Charlie Shea

Without Dr. Murphy there would not have been a Open Heart Program at St. Francis Hospital. From the moment he arrived at the hospital everyone knew that we were going to be an outstanding heart hospital. He encouraged and supported the Cardiology Department to perform angioplasty and stenting but made sure that if a patient needed bypass surgery that was the correct road to take. He was a wonderful human being who cared for his family, patients, friends and coworkers. There will never be another Tom Murphy! He was unique and missed by all.
Nancy and Tim Ford

Our deepest sympathy, Jane & all the Murphys. Bill & I are down here in Hilton Head, SC. We'll be home soon to see you, Jane.Erin, I hope I get to see you as well. Cathy & Bill Smith

Dear Jane, Tim, Annie, Kathleen and Erin, I was so saddened to hear of Dr. Murphy's passing last week. He had such a profound impact on my life working with him back in the 1990's at St. Francis. No person was too sick for us to operate on and Lord knows how many people were saved along the way. I know God will find a special place for him in Heaven.
I will never forget him and I promise to take my daughters to hunt and fish.

Dear Murphy Family,
I had the honor of working with Dr. Murphy in the fall of 1967 as an US Army emergency room admission clerk during my tour of duty with the 91st Evacuation Hospital (SMBL) Tuy Hoa, Vietnam. I always remember his professionalism and kindness toward everyone.
May God look kindly on Dr. Murphy!

Offering my deepest sympathy for your great loss. I pray that Almighty God provide peace and strength as you endure this difficult time.

Dear Annie, Frank and family,
I was so sorry to hear about Dr. Murphy's passing. He was a larger than life personality at St. Francis Xavier, and your family was such a big part of the parish growing up.
You all are in my family's thoughts and prayers.

Dear Murphy Family:
Dr. Murphy saved my life twice - Jan. 1989 and Aug. 1998. The last time I flew in from Alaska in a medevac plane. He came back from one of his adventures -racing a car. He was a cordial and engaging physician. I have been following his health through our barber in Wilmette.
Our condolences to you.
Ivan & Shelly Berk, Wilmette

The world was made better by Dr. Murphy being in it. He performed my father's triple bypass surgery in 1971 at St. Francis. He slept in my father's room because of complications & his dedication to his patients. At that same time,at age 10,paralyzed,& un-diagnosed,I was a patient there at SFH. Even though he wasn't my physician, he was the only one who figured out I had Guillian Barre Syndrome. He was self-less,compassionate,caring,perfectionist---What a great human being he was! He is now a guardian angel to all of us.

Dear Jane,Annie,and family, My deepest condolences for your loss. It is so difficult and heartbreaking to lose a husband and father. May the loving memories you shared together be of comfort to you. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Audrey Fitzgerald

Dear Jane,
What a remarkable man Tom was. He was different, but he played to his personal drummer and was successful in having a wonderful wife like you. He was a superb surgeon and a significant opera lover.
Gwen joins me in sending our condolences to you and to your children and family.
Al Miller

Dear Jane and family, our thoughts and prayers go with you at the death of your beloved husband and father.
John and Lauretta Plattner

I remember Tom and Kathleen taking a father-daughter trip to Washington, DC and having dinner with us at our home. Tom was so happy to have his daughter all to himself. They borrowed 2 of our bikes and rode off to see the monuments. They went to great restaurants and knowing Tom, had some great wines. He seemed so happy.
A year later Jane gave us 2 prints of Rome for our new house that they didn't have room for in their new house. She told me, "don't tell Tom." "He doesn't like to part with anything"! Now we have to part with Tom and it's so hard for all of us. My father will especially miss his best friend.

Many things we did together were memorable, but conversations were tops! Politics were simulating, but we always agreed on God, Country and Notre Dame! I'll miss U Buddy.

Jane and Family,
Hearing about his Dr. Murphy's passing, brought back a flood of memories. Although we lived in Wisconsin at the time, we had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Murphy on a few special occasions. We found him to be such a wonderful person and full of a good dose of Irish fun. My Grandmother, Jeanette and your father Bill, always had a few wonderful stories of him to share. These stories were so enjoyable and certainly a true testament to his gregarious character.We are certain his life will be remembered and celebrated because of this. Please accept our sincerest condolences.
Pam and Mike Sheehan, Joan Kenney, Laura and Kate.

We are so saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Murphy. He will remain in our thoughts as he has been over the past 30 years. The world has lost an incredible man! He will be greatly missed by our family.

I will miss you, your knowledge and your surgical expertise.
Thanks to you and to your family for the time we had with you.

Gilbert Sita MD

So very sorry to hear of the loss of your father, Annie. Please know that our hearts and prayers are with you and your family during this very difficult time. We are thinking of you.

The loss of Dr. Murphy leaves a void that
will be difficult to replace for family,
friends,colleagues,and hundreds grateful
patients. As for one,I will always recall
the many life learning and life changing
experiences I had when assisting him in
the O.R. He will be missed.

Stephen F. Steepleton PA-C
LTC COL. USAR (RET)

Bill and I send our deepest sympathy to Jane and family. We were very grateful for his personal and professional support during my leadership tenure at St Francis Hospital. His legacy is one to be proud of!

I am truly honored and blest to have had the opportunity to work with Tom Murphy..one of the world's greatest cardiothoracic surgeons. Many of my fondest memories of St. Francis are those of my interactions and collaborations with this great man and great humanitarian. The world is indeed a sadder place without you.

Great man, mentor, and Surgeon. I am a better person because Dr. Murphy was a part of my life. He cared about his patients and people. My heartfelt condolence. William Casey

Dear Murphy Family, so sorry to hear the loss of this wonderful man. Dr. Murphy was definitely a piece of the fabric of memories of some excellent St. Francis times back in the day. May you be warmed by your remembrances of him...

So many memories of an amazing man and surgeon. My condolences to all his family and friends.

Dorothy Oswald, one of the original SHU nurses.

...I came back home after 24 hour call...Felt I need to talk to Dr.Murphy...Call his home and left massage for him to call me back...A couple hours later I've got the call back...Dr.Murphy is not anymore with us!The impact that he made on my life is ....He is my american Father,My BEST TEACHER,MY BEST FREIND,The Best Doctor and Surgeon that I ever known!Never met anyone who can match his Dadication,Integrity and Loyalty.It is no day goes by that I do not mention Dr.Murphy's name.The Art of surgery that he achieved still unsurpassed!Thank you to All of Murphy's family for alowing Maria and I to be part of it. REST IN PEACE DR.MURPHY Dr.Maria and Atanas Kostov

My proudest days were spent in the Surgical Heart Unit, part of the team that Dr. Murphy built. God Speed, Dr. Murphy. I hope that a choir of angels greeted you with "Vissi d'arte"..."I lived for my art, I lived for love, I never did harm to a living soul! With a secret hand I relieved as many misfortunes as I knew of." Indeed you did, Doc, and we are all the better for having known you. God bless the Murphy family and all who have loved this man dearly. There will never be another Thomas E. Murphy, MD.

The joy I experienced fly fishing in Alaska with Tom, big game hunting in
Africa and a few car races with him give
me wonderful memories of an outstandging
human being - Tom Murphy. I will miss him but will treasure so many wonderful memories of him and our time together.


To Jane, Tim, Annie, Kathleen and Erin
I send my deep sympathy and my prayers. Harve Ferrill

My condolences to the Murphy family on docs passing with his racing he was able to allow all of us a chance of a lifetime we will always cherish his kindness and countless giving to others Godspeed doc..

Remembering Dr. Murphy as he did my son's heart surgery in 1984 in the NICU when he was 2 days old. My son got married this year! Will never forget his kindness and compassion as he did not even charge for the surgery . He was truly a special person.

Thank you Dr. Murphy for your great work to improve the lives of others, most especially saving my father's life. God bless your family at this sad time. I promise to take a child fishing.

Dr. Murphy saved my dad's life many many years ago and they became the best of friends and fishing buddies. My thoughts and prayers to the family who's hero saved my dad.

addie pielet speer

I was so saddened to hear of Dr. Murphy's passing. He was a pioneer in Cardiac Surgery, he touched the lives of not only his patients but every nurse who had the honor to work along side of him. I know we in the OR at Saint Francis saw more of him than his family for so many years, he was so gifted and a good human being. Rest in peace sir and my condolences to Jane, Tim, Kathleen, Annie and Erin, my prayers are with you.

Our deepest sympathy to Doc's family. He was a terrific guy with great hunting stories. We loved seeing him trackside and missed him around the GT1 race cars after he retired. I am sure the family has lots of wonderful memories as we do of times spent with Doc and Jane. May he rest in peace. Cliff and Mary Ebben

Tom's passing ended an enviable lifetime of friendships, accomplishments, and sweet memories -- probably incomparable to most of us. He was looked up to by his young peers during his days in the Dixon-area, and
a joy to share our years at Notre Dame. He befriended so many in all walks of life.. over
virtually every day of his 80 years. We are all
better for being able to call him a friend.
John Manion, the Class of 1956, U. of Notre Dame.

My thoughts and prayers to all of you family members of Dr. Murphy.
I am so very sorry for your loss. I was shocked and saddened to have heard of Dr. Murphy's passing. He was really an one of a kind guy and I am blessed to have worked in the OR with him so many years ago. He taught me to do my best and to stand by my decisions. I'll add that he also made me very proud to be first generation Irish. In fact I think that's what kept me out of trouble with him. God Bless you Dr. Murphy. You will be missed and I'll be telling stories about you for years to come. I think heaven just became a little more interesting.

My deepest sympathy to Dr. Murphy's family. He was a wonderful surgeon and teacher. It was a pleasure to work with him. Thank you for always caring about your team.

I had the honor to be part of one of Tom's other worlds. We raced cars together all over. Not just normal cars but ultra high powered 200 MPH missles. We shared a car for the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona with two other drivers and had an amazing finish in this 'professional only' event. He was always confident and calm. Great qualities not only for a surgeon but also for a top caliber driver, which he clearly was. We called our races 'missions' and shared a fighter pilot mentality between us. He told me that any time we have a finish with no fires and no crashes that we had a successful mission. I told him that I would 'fly' with him anytime and anywhere. At the end of our weekends I would always say "Nice flying with you Tom," and he would say the same thing back. Now he's on a different mission but we're still team mates, forever. "Nice flying with you Tom. It's been the best of times. Till we meet again.Your team mate, Rick."

We are saddened by the loss of our good friend. Tom was a "larger than life personality". So many people benefited from his extraordinary surgical skill. And so many of us enjoyed his kindness,friendship, and humor. We will miss him! Janet and Jim Black

Tom,
I am sadden by your passing.
I rejoice in your life's accomplishments.
You were a great sailor, but most importantly you were a great friend.

Our sincere sympathies to the entire Murphy Family. Many fond memories as a child. May he rest in peace.

GOD BLESS you Dr.Murphy, you were my greatest teacher and made my career! I will never forget you or your wonderful family! Rest in peace!

The finest man I ever met. Wonderful mentor, teacher and friend.

We all have loved and respected Tom for almost as long as I can remember. He was a brilliant man, an outstanding surgeon and an incredible human being. I can't yet imagine the world waking up with Tom not in it. We loved him and look forward to our reunion where all the Irish Catholics go

He is a man I will never forget...my prayers to his family hope the best for all.

My prayers are with Dr. Murphy's family and friends. I am the nurse I am today because of his high standards. May he rest in peace and continue to watch over us and guide us. God Bless him always.

Dear Kathleen & Family,
We are so very sorry for your loss. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers during this sad time. Kathleen, I know you will carry on the greatness your father left behind in you !!!! Lots of hugs and kisses....Laura Barbanente's & Family

He was great man and a great teacher. Rest in peace Dr. Murphy. I will always remember you.

Dr. Murphy will never be forgotten by me for his expertise and growth of the Cardiology Program at St. Francis Hospital. He truly cared for all his patients, demanding only the highest level of care for his patients. My condolences to Jane and the family. Nancy & Pat OConnor

Dr. Murphy was the epitome of PERFECTION. I am so honored to have worked alongside of him, to watch him save lives, to see his passion in every stroke of his hand. Heaven gained a most wonderful soul.

Deepest Condolances RIP Dr Murphy. He raised the standards of my nursing practice by his absolute commitment to excellence. I am a better nurse today for what I learned in his presence 25 years ago. I am grateful for the scholarship he provided me so that I could complete my studies. I am deeply sorry for the loss of this great man.

I will never forget him and will always be proud of having been a member of his team.He was a great surgeon who always fought for his patients regardless of time or odds of failure and he was a winner .He was a caring leader and a friend .My condolences to Jane and every member of the family .Monique Clarine

Rest in peace Dr. Murphy. It was a pleasure to have known you.

The highest honour i have had to be mentored by not only the best surgeon but by a great human being. Thank you Tim,Annie,Kathleen ,Erin and Mrs. Jane Murphy for sharing him with us. Will never be forgotten. My family is greatly indebted to you. God be with you all.

A great surgeon and a good man. Our condolences to Jane, Tim and the entire Murphy family.

Rest in peace Dr. Murphy. It was an honor and a pleasure working with you at St. Francis. What an incredibly unique and talented man he was. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Murphy family.