Born August 10th, 1930 in Camlough, County Armagh, Hugh was the son of Hugh Thomas Murphy and Ellen Crawford of Bessbrook. As a young man, he traveled to Birmingham, England where he met his beloved wife, Brigid McManus of Swanlinbar, County Cavan. They moved to New York and married in 1957 and together raised four children in Flushing, New York. From his earliest years, Hugh lived a life of faith, family, music and hard work. In his early twenties, Hugh did long distance truck driving through the British Isles, and worked as a double decker bus driver for the City of Birmingham.
After emigrating to the USA, Hugh worked for the New York City Transit Authority as a diesel mechanic for over twenty years. He retired as a young man in 1983 and then started a small family business, Cavan Limousine, which he owned and operated with his wife Brigid for more than 25 years.
Throughout his life, Hugh held his Irish Heritage close to his heart through a love of cooking, music, and dancing which he shared generously with his family, friends and community. He was an active member of St. Ann’s Holy Name Society, Transport Workers Union, Emerald Society, and County Armagh P&B Association. Through his passion for travel and hospitality, Hugh built countless friendships in New York, Illinois, Ireland and the U.K. He took tremendous joy in entertaining family and friends at his farmhouse retreat in Camlough, South Armagh. His love of Irish music brought joy to his life and those around him. He passed this tradition onto his children and grandchildren, all performers and entertainers, from church choirs to Irish Festival & Balls, as well as the occasional living room sing-song. He loved boasting about his kids and grandkids' exploits on the field, pitch, ice, and stage.
Predeceased by Brigid, his wife of 50 years, and his son, Kevin Thomas, Hugh is survived by his sons, Michael and his wife MaryJo of Schaumburg IL; Charles Murphy and his wife Susan of Horsham PA, Brian Murphy and his wife Christina, his brother James Murphy and his wife Anne of Garden City New York, his brother Aiden Murphy and his wife Mary of Cedarhurst NY, his grandsons, Brendan, Daniel, Ryan, Kevin, Marcus, and Mathew; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother Charlie and sister in law Winny; his sister Rosaleen McDonald and brother in law Peter, brother Michael and sister Marry McGarry.
A wake will be held at Quinn-Fogarty/Fredrick Funeral Home, 192-15 Northern Blvd, Flushing on Friday, August 10th.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday ,August 11th, at St. Mel’s Church, 26-15 154th Street, Flushing Queens, 9:45am.
Interment to follow at: Mount St. Mary Cemetery, Flushing NY immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, the families request memorial donations in Hugh’s honor go to:
The Father Solanus Casey Guild.
1780 Mt. Elliot, Detroit MI, 48207
313 579 2100 ext 140
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