HS SOFTBALL: Lady Jacks lose ‘No. 1’ fan

Sports

September 27, 2008

By Jay Skurski<br><a href="mailto:skurskij@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Jay</a> The Tonawanda News Sat Sep 27, 2008, 12:23 AM EDT

He’ll be remembered as the North Tonawanda Lady Jacks’ No. 1 fan.

Tom Murphy, father of legendary NT softball coach T.K. Murphy and well-known presence at Edward Belbas Fields, passed away Wednesday. He was 84.

The elder Murphy never missed a game during his son’s 29-year coaching career until illness kept him away at times this past season. T.K. Murphy, the winningest coach in state history, announced his retirement after the season.

“My brother even tried to bribe him. He said he would come back and coach if he stuck around another year,” said Ann Murphy, Tom’s daughter. “They were like best friends. It’s very tough.”

The elder Murphy, who sported an NT hat and sweatshirt at all the Lady Jacks’ games, was a life-long resident of the city. The World War II veteran retired after a career with the NT Fire Department. He also served as a mechanic for Norm Demler at the Indianapolis 500.

A wake will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. today and 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at Wattengel Funeral Home, 307 Oliver St., North Tonawanda. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday.

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