DR. JOHN LAWLOR MURPHY, F.R.C.S, F.A.C.S
June 7, 1957 - November 4, 2015
John Lawlor Murphy of Moncton died peacefully, surrounded by family at The Moncton Hospital on the evening of November 4, 2015. Born in Moncton, he was the son of Joyce Lawlor and the late Dr. Frederick G. Murphy. He attended Mountain Rd. School (run by the Sisters of Charity), Edith Cavell School and Moncton High School, graduating with Honours in 1975. In his youth, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, hockey and golf. His childhood from the house on Bromley Ave. involved road hockey with the Lunds, going out to catch a 14 inch trout on his fourteenth birthday, golfing 54 holes at Fundy Park and mastering the tying of his own Salmon flies. The family saw all of the Maritimes in travel trailers, summered at Edgewater and skidooed in the winters.
John continued his studies at Dalhousie University, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in 1978 and a Doctorate of Medicine, cum laude, in 1982. He interned at local hospitals in Halifax where he met and fell for the love of his life, Helen Nicholson of Niagara Falls, Ontario. She was a nurse and he first saw her in uniform at the Victoria General Hospital. Helen had Maritime roots as both her parents were from Cape Breton. Her families were Macleans and MacNeils and her uncle, Al MacNeil, was the coach of the Montreal Canadiens at one time, which John never failed to mention when meeting hockey greats like Forbes Kennedy, Ken Dryden and Bobby Orr.
The relationship blossomed and on May 29th, 1982 they were married in Niagara Falls. At their wedding, speeches were given by future Conservative Justice Minister, Rob Nicholson (Helen’s brother) and future Liberal Justice Critic, Brian Murphy (John’s brother). John remained steadfastly loyal to both of their causes to the end, by supporting his brother locally and Rob nationally.
He finished his medical training with a Residency in General Surgery at the Ottawa Civic Hospital with added training in Vascular Surgery. He and Helen began a family, giving birth to Erin in 1984, Neil in 1986, Brendan in 1989, Conal in 1992 and, after a respite, Maclean in 1999.
John obtained privileges at the Moncton Hospital, Department of Surgery, in 1988 and helped set up the Vascular Lab there. He served, at various times as Chief of General Surgery, Chief of Surgery and as a member of numerous Horizon Health and New Brunswick Medical Association Committees. He was known as a steady hand, kind with patients and often the choice of nursing staff for surgery on their own relatives. Working with his father, until the latter’s demise in 2000, they formed a formidable duo of surgical talent referred to, affectionately, as: “God the Father and God the Son”.
John had a wide array of friendships amongst nurses, doctors, hockey moms and dads, hockey teammates, and his golf and fishing buddies. He enjoyed the trips to Europe, Florida and Arizona golfing, his Monday Night Mens League at Mountain Woods, the Montreal Cup and league play with the Moncton Wild hockey team and many memorable neighborhood gatherings in Kingswood Park including his Annual Superbowl Party.
John and Helen and the children travelled extensively to Europe, Florida, New York City, all parts of Atlantic Canada, the Niagara Area and to Buffalo, the home of his beloved Bills. He and Helen enjoyed walking, golf, tennis and, most of all, each other’s company. One of his last Facebook entries was a picture of her on their Anniversary with the script “this beautiful woman I married 33 years ago” at a restaurant in Dunedin Florida near their vacation home.
An equal joy in his life was in watching his children grow. An expert in backyard rink making, he also watched his children play hockey in most of the rinks in the Maritime Provinces. He enjoyed their company at meals and in observing sports, even if it was often in watching the Leafs and the Bills lose their games.
His loving children are: Erin Joyce Muckinhaupt (Austin) of Toronto, Neil John Murphy of Moncton, Brendan Robert Murphy of Saint John, Conal Bruce Murphy and Maclean Lawlor Murphy, both of Moncton. He also leaves behind his loving wife, Helen, his mother, Joyce, and his brother, Brian Francis Patrick (Jacqueline), as well as many nieces and nephews in Moncton and Ontario.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Fergusons Funeral Home, 1657 Mountain Road, Moncton (858-1995). Visitation will be Sunday, November 8th from 2 to 4 pm and 7 to 9 pm.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Bernard’s Roman Catholic Church on Botsford St., Moncton on Monday, November 9, 2105 at 11:00 a.m., with Rev. Allison Carroll presiding. Reception in the Church basement following the service.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Friends of The Moncton Hospital or the Atlantic Salmon Federation. Online condolences at www.fergusonsfuneralhome.com