April 3, 1932 - April 8, 2021
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tom on Thursday April 8, 2021 in Nelson, B.C. Tom was blessed to slip away peacefully and quietly in his own home. Born on April 3, 1932 in Kimberley, B.C. to Agnes and Thomas Murphy.
One of Tom's greatest joys was swimming, for which he was well known. In 1955, at the age of 23, he swam 22 miles of the treacherous length of Kootenay Lake's West Arm from Proctor to Nelson in just over 12 hours.
His love of traveling with his wife, Marie, took them to a variety of destinations near and far. Canoeing on Kootenay Lake with his children filled in many of his precious recreation hours as well the many years he spent creating stunning rock wall terraces on his property on Kootenay Lake.
His children all talented in different art mediums, inherited by Tom's passion for painting landscapes. All of these qualities were shadowed by the impression everyone immediately got from Tom and that was his unique sense of humour and his ability to turn a mundane event into an entertaining story.
Tom worked as a firefighter in Nelson and was recently honored for his heroism in rescuing 3 young boys from the roof of the burning Strathcona hotel in 1955. He then worked in mining underground in the Bluebell Mine in Riondel and finally at the Sullivan Mine in Kimberley where he retired.
Through his health challenges with COPD, he found comfort in his devotion to God, and appreciated the connection with the Catholic Church. He continued to have a crusty sense of humour throughout his challenging days, and became quite a chef serving pork roasts, and steaks to his family.
Tom is predeceased by his loving wife, Marie, his son Tom Junior, and his sister Patricia Mclaughlin.
Tom is survived and dearly missed by his four daughters, Shannon Murphy, Jo-Anne Wajer (Tom), Pam Murphy and Erin Murphy (Jim Upchurch), four grandchildren, Charles and Michelle Ratcliffe and Chloe and Everett Smith and his brothers John and Jim, his sister Kathleen and Don Lawson and many nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to offer their deep gratitude to his niece Tina Coletti for her loving care, his close friend Anne Harris, along with his neighbours and friends Cathy and Brad McIntosh, Nurse Practitioner Amanda Ames, the Nurses and Pharmacy staff at the Nelson Medical clinic, Dr. Cochrane, and Dr. Malpass, Val Aimes, and the Interior Health Community Care team; all of whom deeply cared for him and enjoyed his great sense of humour which he never lost. You all contributed to Tom's wish of being able to stay at home.
In Lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to a charity that helps children, which was Tom's and Marie's passion.
The funeral, due to Covid 19 was held for family at the Nelson cemetery on April 15, 2021.
To leave a personal message of condolence please see the Thompson Funeral Service website https://www.thompsonfs.ca
Thompson Funeral Service