Thomas C. Murphy

Thomas Carvel Murphy, 43, of Bedford, NH, tragically and unexpectedly passed away on October 18, 2025.

Born on October 26, 1981, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to Mary Katherine Sweeney and Stephen Murphy, Thom lived a life full of creativity, generosity, and love. He met his wife, Brittnay Todd, in 2019, and soon after they promised to spend their lives together and blend their families, raising three beautiful boys in Bedford, NH.

Thom was an incredible musician and a talented “tree guy.” He owned a local tree service, TreeScapes by Murphy, and he was dedicated to maintaining the health and beauty of trees for his clients, often joking that he was an actual tree hugger, and that he was in the business of saving trees. He would spend hours high in a canopy making a thousand tiny snips, ensuring those trees would flourish in the months and years that followed. He loved to drive by his trees sporadically to see their progress, and it made him so happy to see the beauty in his work long after he’d completed it.

When he wasn’t in the trees, Thom could be found strumming his guitar, enjoying a craft IPA and a cigar, and learning as many of Brittnay’s favorite songs as he could. He loved to play for anyone who would listen, whether on stage or around a fire, surrounded by equally creative friends who shared his passion for music.

Thom inspired everyone who knew him. He loved to share his knowledge, whether about his trade or his art, and he felt most at home outdoors, in any kind of weather. Known for his unmatched work ethic, generosity, and easy warmth, Thom never met a stranger. Despite his “tough” exterior, people instantly felt comfortable in his presence. He was always the first to lend his help in any way he was able, he could turn a quiet gathering into a great time and always brought laughter and joy wherever he went.

Alongside his free-spirited and energetic nature, Thom also lived with a great deal of pain. He lived with ongoing mental health challenges that took incredible tolls on him. His passing is a heartbreaking reminder that mental illness is complex, often hidden, not always well understood, and made heavier by the stigma and shame that keep so many from reaching out for help.

In sharing his story, it is hoped that Thom’s pain, his fight, and his light will not be forgotten, instead that his story continues to spark compassion, and create space for more understanding and openness about the struggles so many face alone and in silence. To love him, and to be loved by him, was an incredible privilege, and he will be forever missed.

Thom is survived by his parents, Mary Katherine Sweeney and Steve Murphy; his wife, Brittnay Todd; his son, Perrin Murphy; his bonus sons, Elijah Todd and Nathan Todd; and his brother, Joseph Murphy.

He was preceded in death by his older brother, Stephen Murphy, and his loyal companion of 17 years, Yasha.

A celebration of life is being held at Phaneuf Funeral Home on his birthday, Sunday, October 26, 2025 from 1-3pm, followed by refreshments at KC’s Barbeque Shack (in the Boneyard Building).

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the National Alliance of Mental Health (NAMI), New Hampshire Division: https://www.naminh.org/donate/

Or

MusiCares, an organization that supports musicians in times of financial, personal, or medical crisis: https://www.musicares.org/about?form=donate