The death occurred suddenly on Sunday April 27, at All Saints Hospital, Springhill, of Kenneth William Murphy, in his fifty-second year. He is survived by his wife Gail Murphy; his brothers David (Debbie) and Tony (Jaimie); and sister Kerrie Murphy (Jack), as well as by several nieces and nephews. He and his wife also had a sponsored child in Haiti, Mario Dorilas . He was predeceased by his parents Kenneth and Susan (Manuel) Murphy and by his sisters Tracy and Erin Murphy. Ken was employed for the past several years by the Catholic charity Chalice (formerly Christian Child Care International). As chief information officer and systems analyst, he helped develop and maintain Chalice’s information technology operations. He also travelled several times to Haiti where he helped local partners of the organization set up their own computer systems. Ken called himself a high-tech missionary, troubleshooting on the website Foxite.com, and helping bring charitable organizations to terms with modern software. His professional expertise was recognized by his colleagues when he was chosen Microsoft Most Valuable Professional in the field of visual developers using the utility FoxPro in both 2007 and 2008. Only a week before his death, he returned from an international conference in Seattle, Washington, at which he made two presentations and in turn received his second consecutive MVP award. Ken was an active volunteer in many fields. He provided ministry through music at the Springhill Institution and at the local nursing home, and was currently serving as a volunteer systems specialist with the Council for Christian Reconciliation. He and his wife took turns monthly in planning the music for the Liturgy of the Mass at Saint John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Springhill. Ken was one of the founding members of the musical theatre group the Pit Players, for which he wrote many songs, provided musical accompaniment and arrangements, and acted as musical director, sound technician and road crew. One of the Pit Players’ most successful productions was The Miners’ Song, based on the life of a mining family in Springhill. A keen camper and canoeist, Ken also provided volunteer support for Girl Guide camping activities. At home in the kitchen, and especially at the barbecue, he delighted in cooking gourmet meals for family and friends. One of his closest friends was the diabetic family cat, Zeke. Earlier in life, Ken served in the Canadian Naval Reserve, and for a time worked for the Bedford Institute of Technology and for National Sea Products. A volunteer to the last, Ken was a registered organ and tissue donor. Cremation was carried out in Halifax. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to A H Brown Funeral Service Ltd, Springhill. Visiting hours were Thursday, May 1, 2008, 2:00 to 4:00 pm and 7:00 to 9:00 pm. E-mail condolences may be sent to www.brownsfuneralhome.com Funeral was held on Friday, May 2, 11:00 am at Saint John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Springhill, Fathers David MacDonald and Patrick Cosgrove concelebrating the Mass of the Resurrection. Memorial donations may be made to Girl Guides of Canada – Camp Cumberland, Chalice, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Spring House, or the charity of your choice.