MURPHY, HENRY J., Q.C.
February 23rd, 1954 - March 12th, 2016
Our beloved and cherished husband and father passed onto eternal life on Saturday March 12th, 2016 at his home next to the love of his life, his wife, Susan (nee Hayes).
Predeceased by his parents, Judge Henry J. Murphy and Joan (Barry) Murphy, he will be forever in the hearts of his children, Ryan (Yat Long) and Kelly (Ian Drummond). He will be sadly missed, as well by his brothers, Francis Patrick (Ann), Michael Barry (Moira) and his ever attentive and appreciated sister, Julia.
Henry Junior (sometimes called “Henry Joe” amongst family) grew up in the Bromley Avenue area and attended L’école de la rue Essex and L’école Beausejour for primary and middle schools, as his parents, ahead of their time, realised the importance and joy of proficiency in both official languages. His childhood was active and loving with frequent trips to the Brunswick Downs “track” in Lakeburn that his father so loved and the beauty of Kent County’s, Gladeside where the family farm was located. Born when his father was the Member of Parliament for Westmorland and then a Provincial Court Judge, Henry bore his namesake’s legacy and responsibility well but soon made his own way in the world in a very determined manner.
A 1972 Honours graduate of Moncton High School, “Hank”, as he became known attended UNB attaining a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1976 and a law degree from UNB in 1979, finishing at the top of his graduating class. Upon conclusion of Bar Admission, he placed first. His grandfather, Francis Patrick Murphy, practised law in Moncton from 1908 until his death in 1968. Hank became the fifth person from this lineage to earn a law degree. There are now 10 law graduates from the time of Francis Patrick Murphy.
His early years of practice with Anderson, Maclean & Chase saw him work very hard to master the field of insurance defence litigation. Clients attest that he won universal respect for preparedness, determination and technological knowledge.
In 1989 he found the law firm of Murphy Collette Murphy, with his brother, Michael and lifelong friend, Bill Collette. The firm became known for its diligence, technological prowess and willingness to go to Court.
He was a past member of the governing council of the Law Society of New Brunswick, past president of the Moncton Area Lawyers Association, member of the Insurance Institute of New Brunswick, an honorary member of the Blue Goose Insurance fraternity, member of the Defence Research Institute and a Life Member of the American Trial Lawyers Association. He was made Queen’s Council in recognition of his abilities in the courtroom. Henry was lead counsel on many precedent setting cases in the Court of Queen’s Bench, New Brunswick, the New Brunswick Court of Appeal and also carried out litigation in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. He specialised and did what he did well, becoming, truly, a “lawyer’s lawyer”.
Hank met Susan Hayes at mass in Moncton during the summer of 1980. They were married in September 1981 in Renous, New Brunswick which featured a large gathering of the Province’s Irish Catholic community. The two treasured every moment together, whether short drives to the “Boston States” in the most advanced of travel vans, longer trips to Cuba or voyages of a lifetime on Princess Cruises, particularly and most recently to the Great Barrier Reef and South America. They enjoyed meeting new friends and gathering family for celebrations of life.
His two children, Kelly and Ryan were his two precious sources of pride in life. Kelly has gone on to make a mark for herself in the area of event management and tourism. She is Director of Operations with Versatile Management Group on Prince Edward Island, where she will be married to Ian Drummond, of there, in June. Henry was hoping to attend, in sprit, he most surely will.
Ryan followed his father in the practise of law and is an Associate at Murphy Collette Murphy, also specialising in insurance defence work and excelling in computer technology. He is Treasurer of the Moncton Area Lawyers Association and is married to Yat Long, who both live close to his parents’ home.
Special thanks must be given to the wonderful nurses and personnel of the Driscoll Extra Mural Unit and the Moncton Hospital Oncology Clinic. Words cannot express the level of their kindness and the hope they give to those in dark and difficult days.
The Moncton Area Lawyers’ Association (MALA), with the assistance of Chief Justice David D. Smith, will hold a Special Meeting Memorial Service at the Moncton Courthouse, in the Jury Courtroom at 12 noon, on Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Close family members are invited and all Moncton area lawyers are encouraged to attend.
Visitation will be held at Fergusons Funeral Home, 1657 Mountain Rd, Moncton (858-1995) on Tuesday, March 15, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.; with a Mass of Christian Burial being held at St. Augustine’s Church, 340 Dominion St, Moncton, NB on Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at 11 a.m.. Reception to follow in the Parish Hall. Interment to be held in St. Lawrence O’Toole Cemetery, Irishtown, in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations in the name of Hank can be made to the Friends of the Moncton Hospital (Oncology Unit).
Online condolences at
www.fergusonsfuneralhome.com