Thomas "Tom" Murphy

Thomas Crane Murphy, 86, Green Bay native and longtime newspaperman, died surrounded by his family on Sunday, May 6th. He was a devoted and compassionate husband, father, and Papa (Grandfather).

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, the former Audrey M. Schmidt; daughter Meagan (John) Gerstner and their son, Maxwell, all of Minneapolis; daughter Erin Murphy and her children, Sean, Sarah, and Egan, all of Chattanooga, TN; sister, Mimi Ariens of Brillion; Catherine Everson and brother, Joseph H. (Kathy) all of Green Bay.

Tom was born on December 2, 1931, to the late Mary Ryan Egan Murphy and T. Crane Murphy and graduated from Central Catholic (Notre Dame Academy) High School and the University of Notre Dame. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1953 and served two years with the Signal Corps all state-side.

He grew up in the family newspaper businesses, Farm Publications Inc. and Crane Publishing Inc., operators of the Farmer’s Friend and Pride weekly newspapers. On discharge from the Army, he was a reporter for the Wisconsin State Journal in Madison for two years before returning to the family enterprises. He was a jack-of-all trades with the Murphy newspapers, eventually succeeding his father as editor of both publications. The family sold the newspapers to Brown County Publishing in 1975.

Tom joined Fort Howard Paper Co. and Fort Howard Paper Foundation that year and served as the company’s first director of governmental affairs as well as a Foundation vice president; positions he held for seven years.

In 1984, he returned to journalism as a reporter and business columnist with the Green Bay Press Gazette, retiring in 1998. However, he continued to write his business column, Heard on the Street, for several years. His reporting earned awards including the inaugural Medill School of Journalism business honor. The effort was one of five top winners in the Best Business and Financial News Covered for the Investor by Midwestern News Organizations.

Tom was an avid golfer and a member at Northbrook Country Club. He grew up playing hardball on the sandlots of Astor Park, played at Notre Dame and continued in adult fast-pitch softball leagues until his 45th birthday.

He was a former member of the Resurrection Catholic Parish Council, secretary of the Heritage Hill Foundation board of directors, member of the selection committee of the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame and St Vincent de Paul Society of Green Bay public relations committee.

We will miss his witty remarks, humble demeanor, intelligence, and funny attitude that defined him as a true Irishman. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. John’s Homeless Shelter.

Family and friends may visit at Resurrection Catholic Church, 333 Hilltop Drive, Allouez, on Friday, May 11, from 10:00am until 11:45am. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00pm with Bishop Robert Morneau officiating. Burial in Allouez Catholic Cemetery. Cotter Funeral Home is assisting the family.