Sad passing of former Arrabawn CEO

An honourable and hardworking gentleman who played a key role in developing Arrabawn Co-op, the death of Jimmy Murphy has occasioned great regret in the Nenagh community.

James (Jimmy) Murphy of Ballygraigue Road, Nenagh; late of Pallasgreen Co Limerick and Tralee, Co Kerry, died at University Hospital Limerick on Tuesday, August 11. His passing came almost exactly 20 years on from his parting of ways with Arrabawn Co-op at the end of a career spanning six decades all told.

Jimmy joined the old Nenagh Co-op in 1958, serving first as assistant manager before his appointment as deputy general manager in 1975. Ten years later he took on the roles of CEO and secretary. He stepped down as CEO in 2005 but continued as secretary until October of the following year, making him one of the longest serving executives of any co-op in the country, a tenure of some 48 years.

Arriving at a time when Nenagh was an average-sized co-op, Jimmy became central to its expansion in the 1960s when branches opened in Borrisokane, Killimor and Birr, and in the following decade, when amalgamation took place with local co-ops in Silvermines, Ballywilliam, Bridgetown, Newport and Upperchurch. His vision and commitment was particularly evident in the merger of Nenagh Co-op and Mid-West Farmers Co-op, which led to the formation of Arrabawn in 2001.

‘THE JOYS AND THE TROUBLES’

At his retirement function in the Abbey Court Hotel at the end of 2006, Jimmy shared “very pleasant memories” of those he had worked with at the co-op over the decades, and he wished well his successor, Conor Ryan.

“I have shared the joys and the troubles, and I wish to acknowledge in a very special way the friendship and co-operation I received from our milk suppliers and from our farmers at all times,” Jimmy said. “The staff at all levels, and all those involved in the work of the society, made a generous contribution to its success, and made my job easier in the challenging environment in which we operated.”

ArraTipp, which formed last year following the merger of Arrabawn and Tipperary Co-Ops, issued a statement of condolence following Jimmy’s passing.

“Jimmy devoted more than four decades of his working life to the co-operative movement and made an immense contribution to the development of dairying and agriculture across our region. His leadership was instrumental in building Nenagh Co-op, bringing local creameries together and strengthening the co-operative for generations of farming families.”

NATIONAL RECOGNITION

As the first CEO of Arrabawn, Jimmy helped lay the foundations for the organisation we know today. Such was his contribution that he received national recognition with the 2009 ICOS Plunkett Award for Co-operative Endeavour.

“Jimmy was widely respected throughout Irish agriculture for his integrity, leadership and deep commitment to the co-operative ethos,” ArraTipp stated. “His contribution to our co-op and to the communities it serves will long be remembered.”

Among the many tributes on rip.ie are several recognising Jimmy Murphy’s support of Nenagh clubs and causes. He also served on the board of Nenagh Credit Union, which left a condolence message describing him as “a very committed member and board member”.

Another condolence in the name of Daniel C O’Connell and family noted that Jimmy would be “missed by many having worked tirelessly for the farmers over the years in his roles at Arrabawn and Director of Ornua”.

‘ONE OF NATURE’S GENTLEMEN’

Matt Malone described the deceased as “a highly capable, committed and friendly person who was well respected. I very much appreciated his help and support during my time in the neighbouring Nenagh Co-Op Mart and his efficiency and courtesy during the time I served on the committee of Nenagh Co-Op Creamery.”

For Celine and the McLoughlin family of Banba Square, “Jimmy was one of nature’s gentlemen”, while Peter and Mary Ward commented that “his contributions to Nenagh were immeasurable”. In his expression of condolence, Pádraig Ó Flannabhra stated that “Jimmy Murphy was a gift to Nenagh and will be sadly missed”.

Predeceased by his daughter Alison, brother Joe, sister-in-law Mary and brother-in-law Pat Ryan, Jimmy is sadly missed by his wife Alice, daughters Fiona, Deirdre, Elaine and son Brian; his sister Sheila Ryan, sons-in-law Charles Wallace and John McKenna, daughter-in-law Jean Mullan, as well as his cherished grandchildren Malachy, Cathal, Juliette, Alice, Hanna, James, Sophie, Will and Adam; nephews, nieces, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins, relatives, neighbours and friends.

Funeral Mass took place on Monday at St Mary of the Rosary Church, followed by burial in Monsea Cemetery, Ballycommon. May he rest in peace.