‘Father Murph’: A man of the people

AFTER dedicating more than nearly 50 years to the church, Crookwell Catholic parish priest Father Peter Murphy died peacefully on Friday, April 24.

He had been fighting a brain tumour when he passed at the Crookwell District Hospital, aged seventy-nine.

His peaceful end was symbolic of his loving career.

Father Murphy was a holy person who loved the church, and by all accounts, was a most dedicated man to his community.

He was born in Scone on March 17, 1936 but grew up in and around the township of Boorowa NSW.

As a teeneager he worked in the Boorowa Post Office, before deciding to head to Bathurst to pursue  his leaving certificate (Year 12 equivalent).

“It was unbeknownst to anyone that he went off the Bathurst to get it,” his brother Brian remembered.

“I think he didn't tell anyone in case he failed. He was a very private person.”

Brian remembers a very holy man who took to his calling like a duck to water. He was the eldest of seven boys and one sister, and Brian remembered the whole family looking up to him with great admiration.

In 1959 he commenced studies for the priesthood.

He attended St Columba’s College in Springwood, and later, St Patrick’s Seminary in Manly.

He was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn by Bishop John Cullinane on July 16, 1966 at St Patrick’s Church at his home in Boorowa.

During his 49 years of ministry, he served in the parishes of Pambula, West Wyalong, Bombala, Braddon (where he was also Chaplain to the Royal Canberra Hospital as it was then known), Narooma, Cooma, Ardlethan and finally - Crookwell.

Just before his death, the parish and wider community of Crookwell celebrated Father Peter’s 30th anniversary as parish priest of the town. It was the day of his birthday.

Crookwell had a special place in his heart.

“He enjoyed everywhere he went, but he thoroughly loved his time in Crookwell,” his brother said.

Outside of the church Father Murphy was an avid sports lover.

He was a fine cricketer, in particular an excellent batsman who played for his hometown as he grew up.

He also played tennis and enjoyed golf well into his older years.

He was a passionate Canberra Raiders supporter, influenced by his younger brother Jim Murphy, who up until his untimely death, was for many years a longstanding member of the Raiders board.

Father Peter also had a love for travel, but many would remember him his love of furniture restoration.

The man known to everyone as Father ‘Murph’,  could often be seen at his presbytery busily working away sanding back a piece of furniture.

He is survived by five brothers, a sister and his many sisters-in-law and nephews and nieces.

A funeral mass was held for Fr Murphy at 10.30am on Friday at St Mary’s Church, Crookwell with Archbishop Christopher Prowse as principal celebrant.