John McDermott Dunphy

John McDermott (Derm) Dunphy - He passed away peacefully at Drummond Hall, Parkland Estates on Sunday January 8, 2012. Born in St. John’s NL in 1929, he was the oldest of three children of John and Mary Dunphy. He studied Engineering at Memorial University, graduating with his Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering from the NS Technical College in 1952. He began his career specializing in Harbour Design for out-port communities in NL. He met his wife, Moira McGonagle (1924-2011) while they were both working on Fogo Island. After earning his Masters of Engineering from Princeton University in 1959. He returned to St. John’s to lead the design and construction of the Port of St John’s. He had a 35-year carreer with Public Works Canada working in every region of the country. He was Director General of Public Works in the Atlantic Region and retired as Assistant Deputy Minister in Ottawa. His significant projects include the McKenzie Highway in the NW Territories and the Confederation Bridge. He also managed the design and construction of the Dempster Highway, the only all weather road in Canada above the Arctic Circle. He enjoyed reading, lawn bowling with the Saint Mary’s Lawn Bowling Club and following the Montreal Canadiens. He was a lay minister at Saint Thomas Aquinas/Canadian Martyrs Church and delivered Holy Communion to the sick and homebound. He was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus, participating in many service projects. As a member of the Charitable Irish Society, he was instrumental in the design and installation of the Celtic cross on George Street at Bedford Row, a memorial to the contributions of early Irish settlers in Nova Scotia. He served on the Deadman’s Island Committee, establishing the park as an international historic site. He is survived by his sister Tess Warren of Dartmouth, his sons, Paul (Robin Muller) and Tom (Nora), a granddaughter, Caitlyn, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Mary Anne (Moira) Dunphy and his sister Bridget Murphy of St. John’s. Visitation will be held at J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Dr., Halifax (902) 455-0531 on Wednesday, January 11th from 2-4 & 6-8pm. Funeral service at Canadian Martyrs Church, 5900 Inglis Street, Thursday January 12th at 10am. Burial in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lwr. Sackville. The family is grateful to the staff for their patience and care. Memorial contributions can be made to Catholic charities or the QEII Foundation. Please visit: www.jasnowfuneralhome.com