The Late John Murphy John Murphy was one of nature's gentlemen. The news of his passing aged 45, was met with great sadness by all who knew the popular Piercestown resident. John, of 25 Esmonde Drive, is survived by his loving wife Mary and their four children Robert (25), Donna (19) Alan (15) and David (14). The son of Joe and Josie Murphy of Kennedy Park, Wexford, John worked as a bus driver, spending almost the last 13 years with Joe O'Brien Coach Tours, Ardcavan. Though he worked with Wextrans for some time and also as a taxi driver with Jimmy Walsh, it was from his time as bus driver that John became well-known and well-liked throughout County Wexford and beyond. He is described by his loving family as a quiet, unassuming and easy-going man 'who didn't know how to say no to anyone'. Not surprisingly he was very popular with all his passengers. He brought young students from Crossabeg and Blackwater to school and they now miss him dearly. John drove for countless organisations all over Wexford and was held in the highest regard by all of them, though he had particular affinity with the countys camogie team. Their regular drivers, he was bitterly disappointed not to be well enough to drive them to Croke Park for the All-Ireland Final. However, the girls were quickly on the phone to John after their historic win and he was later brought to Enniscorthy where he joined them on the bus as they made their way to the huge celebrations on the quay in Wexford. The camogie team, their mentors and members of the county board formed a Guard of Honour for John as his remains were removed to St. Martin's Church. In his spare time, John loved to play golf with his sons and other relatives, while he also loved to take great care of his cars. However, above all else, John was a true family man - a great husband to Mary and a great father to Robert, Donna, Alan and David. John and Mary (nee Rochford, from Killinick) had only recently celebrated 25 years of happy marriage. John had been diagnosed with a serious illness last August and had been unwell for some time. However, he was in good spirits when discharged for two weeks to spend Christmas at home with his family. Sadly for the Murphy and Rochford families, Mary's father Dick, a great friend of John's passed away on New Year's Eve. The high esteem in which John and his family are held was reflected by the huge numbers that attended his removal to St. Martin's Church, Piercestown and his Requiem Mass. At the graveside in Piercestown Cemetery of of the wreaths carried a message that summed up the character of the man: 'Gentleman Johnny'. John is predeceased by his sister Bernadette Goff. He will be sadly missed by his loving wife Mary, children Robert, Donna, Alan and David, parents, Joe and Josie Murphy, mother-in-law Sarah Rochford, brothers Patrick, Paul, Charles, Anthony and Dermot, sisters Eileen, Mary, Ann, Sharon and Catherine, his relatives and wide circle of friends. Courtesy of the Wexford People 23rd January 2008 Tweet

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