Michael Valentine MURPHY

Mike was born in Newcastle Co. Down, Ireland, into a busy family that would eventually grow to include 7 sisters, Maureen, Anne, Elizabeth, Jean, Clare, Rosaleen and Margaret; 3 brothers, Daniel, Phil, and Jim; and his parents James and Margaret.  Although Mike left school at a young age to help care for his family, he proudly worked his way through several careers, learning how to do them as he went.

Mike left home at 17 years of age to travel the world by boat with the British Merchant Marines, where after several years of globetrotting he immigrated to Edmonton, Canada.  He was fortunate to live coast to coast in his newfound homeland, pursuing opportunities in Edmonton, Winnipeg (City Hydro), Halifax (RCMP Marine division) and Ottawa (RCMP) making lifelong friends along the way and meeting the love of his life, Isabel Nancy Clarke. 

Mike and Isabel married in 1959, celebrating 57 years together last September.  On retiring from the RCMP in 1992, Mike and Isabel moved to beautiful Qualicum Beach, BC.  Throughout Mike’s 25 years in Qualicum Beach, he made many wonderful friends, has golfed several times a week (even getting two “hole in ones”), taught himself how to build model ships out of wood, and was active in his Church and the Knights of Columbus.  Mike continued to challenge himself in many ways, the latest being the memorization of “The Cremation of Sam McGee”!

Mike is predeceased by both of his parents, all of his siblings, many of his 45 nieces and nephews, his infant son Michael Gerard Murphy, and many great golfing buddies.

Mike leaves behind his wifem Isabel Murphy (nee Clarke);sons, Jim Murphy (Lisa Murphy, nee Beaubien), Billy Murphy; and daughter Laura Strachan (Andrew).  The joys of Mike’s life were his four grandchildren; Hayden Strachan, Teagan Strachan, Bailey Strachan, and his namesake, Michael Murphy. 

The family would like to thank Dr. Carr, Dr. Haslett, and all the nurses (especially Kathryn, Marlee and Jessica) and the HCA’s at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital for their compassionate care of Mike, making his last days comfortable and dignified. 

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, February 17, 2017 at the Catholic Church of the Ascension, 887 Wembley Road in Parksville, BC.  In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to make a donation to the Nanaimo Hospital Foundation through www.nanaimohospitalfoundation.com, in support of their campaign to purchase a new CT machine.