AstalwartoftheLourdespilgrimage
The high esteem in which Charlie Murphy of ‘Shiloh’, Ferns Upper, was held, was evident by the huge attendance at his removal and funeral in Ferns recently.
Charlie passed away peacefully in the Oak Ward, at St John’s Community Hospital, Enniscorthy, at the age of 80, having suffered a stroke in October 2016.
He was born in Ferns in 1936, the third eldest of ten children born to Charles and Elizabeth Murphy, and was predeceased by his wife Bridie, his brothers Jack and Martin and sisters Kathleen, Susan, and Sally.
Charlie married Bridie in 1960 and they lived in Camolin until 1995. They then moved to Ferns Upper, Ferns. He was involved in many organisations over the years such as: the Ferns Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes; Gorey Agricultural Show where he was appointed president in 2012; Bothar; the Short Horn Association; and most recently the Irish Kidney Association.
He received a kidney transplant in 2011 which improved his life significantly as he had been on dialysis for many years.
For the past 44 years, he travelled with the annual Ferns Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes and normally during this time of year he would be busy helping to organise it. He proudly received a Benemerenti medal alongside Bridie in Lourdes in 2007 for their dedication throughout the years.
He was also a keen card player and could be found most Wednesday nights in winter in Kilnamanagh Hall playing whist. He was a sociable, outgoing, friendly man which was clear to see judging by all the wonderful friends he met over the years.
He worked in Avoca Mines and NET Arklow for many years, and retired from work in 1990, but not from life as can be seen from his involvement with the various organisations.
Charlie’s funeral Mass was concelebrated by Fr Paddy Cushen, Fr Michael Doyle and Fr Felix Byrne. He is survived by his children Charlie, Eileen, Geraldine and Paul, brothers Bernard, Aidan and Tom, sister Betty, son-in-law Pat, daughters-in-law Teresa and Frances, eight grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and a wide circle of friends. Ar Dheis De go raibh a anam.