Obituary of Patrick Leo Murphy

MURPHY, Patrick L. “Pat” Pictou MURPHY, Patrick Leo -94, of Pictou, passed away peacefully December 29th with his family at his side in the Palliative Care Unit of the Aberdeen Hospital after a brief illness. Pat was born on October 3rd, 1929, in Port Hood to the late Patrick and Muriel (Tully) Murphy. He was very proud of his Cape Breton roots, and returned regularly to visit his family property and his cousins. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family. In 1940, his family moved to Pictou, where he lived for the next 83 years. Pat attended school in Port Hood and Stella Maris Convent in Pictou. Pat spent many years in his youth as a Sea Cadet with the Royal William Sea Cadets, eventually becoming the Commanding Officer of the RWSC. He had a very strong work ethic and spent his younger years working at the Pictou Shipyard and Trenton Works, followed by several years as a Millwright at G.E. Hamilton & Sons, Scott Paper and Kimberly Clark until his retirement in 1994. Pat met Elinor at a dance in 1950, and they married in 1956. He was a loving and supportive husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He and Elinor spent many years supporting their daughters at their figure skating competitions and events. A devoted grandfather, he followed with interest the activities, educational pursuits, and careers of his three granddaughters. Pat and Elinor were lovely dancers and enjoyed attending dances with their many friends. Pat was also an avid and skilled skater and spent years attending adult skates in various arenas in Pictou County. One of his favourite retirement activities was spending time with his nephews at David MacCarthy’s boat shop and at the wharf. He took delight in using his skills and knowledge to help friends, family, and neighbours with household and outdoor projects. Pat and Elinor enjoyed travelling to Ottawa for many years to see their daughter Maureen and family, and travelled to Florida, California, and Ontario to visit his siblings. Pat treasured his many travels driving the bus for the Heatherbell Girls Pipe Band. He volunteered his time to numerous community organizations including the Pictou Lions Club, Meals on Wheels, and the Northumberland Veterans Wing. He was a committed member of the Stella Maris Parish as a Eucharistic Minister, a member of the Parish Council and a 4th Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus. Pat is survived by his wife of 67 years, Elinor (MacCarthy); his daughters, Shawn (Jim Ryan), Pictou; Maureen (Rick Morgan), Ottawa, ON; his cherished granddaughters, Angela Ryan (Dalton Sampson), Dartmouth; Cynthia Ryan (Scott Gooding), Dartmouth; Emma Makin, Ottawa, ON; and his special great-granddaughter, Bridget Gooding. Pat is also survived by his sister-in-law, Norma Murphy, Fonthill, ON; brother-in-law, Mario Girotti, St. Catharines, ON; brother-in-law, Tom MacPhail, Bassano, AB; sister-in-law, Marguerite MacCarthy, Three Brooks; and by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his siblings, Tom, Jean Crowell, Gerald, Margaret ‘Peggy’ Bowron Knabb, Theresa Girotti, Bernadette MacDonald, Mary Francis, Dennis, and Ann MacPhail; his nieces, Deborah White and Tara Murphy; and his nephews, Jimmy and Gerry Murphy. Pat was also predeceased by brothers and sister-in-law, Barb Murphy, Robert Crowell, Keith Bowron, Russell Knabb, and Clement Francis. Our family wishes to sincerely thank the Aberdeen Palliative Care Team, VON Nurses, Dr. Anne Kwasnik, Dr. Gerry Farrell, and Dr. Gregor MacLean for their care and attention. We also extend an extra special thank you to Pat’s at-home care team, Marla James and Janice Watters, who provided him with incredibly kind and compassionate care during his final weeks. Thank you to Dave Fulmore and staff at Fulmore’s Pharmacy. Our thanks to Glenn Livingston and staff at McLaren Funeral Home for their care and guidance. Visitation will be 2-4 & 6-8PM Monday in McLaren Funeral Home, Pictou. Funeral Mass will be held 11 AM Tuesday from Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church, Pictou, with Father Peter MacDonald officiating. Burial will be in the Waterside Cemetery. Donations in Pat’s memory may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or to the Stella Maris Building Fund. Video Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G6ZLKsQpIw