RLM-Family

“There are three deaths. The first is when the body ceases to function. The
second is when the body is consigned to the grave. The third is that moment,
sometime in the future, when your name is spoken for the last time.”
-David Eagleman
——

“To The Person Who Will Be The Last To Speak My Name”

You’ll come across it in some database–
an arcane list, an ancient family tree–
a ghost town on the edge of cyberspace,
where signs decay and landmarks atrophy.

Already several decades will have passed
since someone said it, thinking of a “him,”
and how he lived. Now you will be the last
before my name becomes a homonym.

I have no grand instructions to convey –
your breathy, puzzled mumble will be fine.
We all have ways to say the things we say,
and I’m content to have your way be mine.

Take care as much or little as you will,
just hold the silence after till I’m still.

-David Rosenthal

Rosenthal Lindeman Murphy

Murphy Generations and John Francis Murphy (1917-1988)

The childhood photographs of John Francis Murphy (“Jack”) and his family are scarce to non-existent. Jack was a child of the Great Depression, sent away from home at about age 12 to live with unidentified relatives, and then to return home at age 17 after his father abandoned the family. His story is told elsewhere on this site. (Read his story)

Winifred Murphy-Jack’s Grandmother
Mary O’Rourke-Winnifred’s Sister with Jack’s Sister, Geraldine Murphy (Bucher)

Florence Roberts Murphy-Jack’s Mother

John F. Murphy in Rear Right Corner. Memorial School, Cleveland, Ohio
John F. Murphy on a Pony
John Francis Murphy as a Young Man
John Francis Murphy as a Young Man
Jack with His Best Friend Harry Mazzolini in 1940-Prior to Enlistment
Jack Possibly on the Way to Army Active Duty
Getting Gas at a Typical Ohio Gas Station 1940
Jack at Rank of Corporal 1942, 12 Months after Enlistment
Jack at Rank of Staff Sergeant November 1942, 25 Months after Enlistment, Prior of Beginning Officer Training.
Jack as Officer Candidate 1944
John F. “Jack” Murphy, Frances Virginia Tourjee Murphy (his wife), Carol Ann Murphy (his daughter), John Ryan Rosenthal-Murphy (this grandson), Harold Tourjee (seated, John Ryan’s Great-Grandfather)

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