Broomall Fire's Family Ties: The Murray Family

Marple Newtown Patch wants you to get to know your first responders. They do dangerous work and Patch would like to recognize them.

This week, Marple Newtown Patch is changing a few things around and starting a series within our Local Hereos column to features some of the local volunteers and their families who all serve together at the .

The first family up is the Murray family. Read below for more information about the long line of Murrays and how they served as part of the Broomall Fire Co., one generation after the next.

Thomas Murray Sr.

Thomas Murray Sr. joined the Broomall Fire Co. in June of 1966 after moving to Broomall from Darby. Tom was a life member of the Darby Fire Patrol #2 where he served as a captain for several years.

Upon moving to Broomall and joining the Broomall Fire Co., he served on several committees as well as serving as a lieutenant for two years. He stepped down from his lieutenant's position in December 1974 when his son Tom Murray Jr. took over as lieutenant.

Tom Sr. continued to respond to fire calls until 2001 when his health prohibited him from further response. He passed away in March of 2002 after a long battle with cancer. Tom Sr.’s legacy lives on in the fire service with his continued family tradition of volunteer firefighters.

Thomas Murray Jr.

Tom Jr. joined the Broomall Fire Co. in 1969 and has served in many capacities including Fire Chief for 19 years. Tom Jr. is a certified Fire Officer IV and is the top responding member of the Broomall Fire Co., responding to over 12,000 calls during his career.

Tom Jr. is currently the Police Chief of the . He has two sons who have also followed in their grandfather's and father's footsteps.

Stay tuned for next week's profile on Tom Jr.

Thomas Murray III

Tom III joined the Broomall Fire Co. in June of 1997 while he was a 16-year-old junior at Malvern Prep. Tom was active in Broomall Fire Co. until college took him away. He attended the United States Naval Academy and from there went on to become a helicopter pilot for the US Navy.

He currently holds the rank of lieutenant in the US Navy and is stationed at HSC 3 in San Diego, CA, as an instructor pilot. Tom remains active with the Broomall Fire Co., responding to calls when he is visiting family here in Broomall.

Matthew Murray

Matthew Murray joined the Broomall Fire Co. in April of 2003 while he was a junior at Malvern Prep. Matt currently serves as a captain and is extremely active in the fire company. He is actively involved with the and serves on several fire company committees.

Matt is a certified Fire Officer II and continues to advance his training in the fire service. Matt attended the Municipal Police Academy where he graduated and went on to become a part-time police officer in Collingdale. After a brief stint in Collingdale, he worked for the Delaware River Port Authority Police Department for two years before being hired as a police officer in Haverford Township where he currently works.

Stay tuned for a future profile on Matthew Murray.