Our world is diminished and forlorn since our renaissance man, Jim Murphy, passed without warning at home. He filled our lives with his generosity, intelligence, robust conversation, quick wit, dependability, and loving devotion to family and friends. No one can take his place.

Born in Kamloops, BC and a navy captain’s son, Jim never lived in one place too long. Victoria, Halifax, Dartmouth, Ottawa, Vancouver, and Washington, D.C. were all called home.

To fund his University of Victoria education, Jim worked as a seaman on a Danish freighter, BC forest firefighter and cab driver, graduating in 1976 with a BA in history and political science while managing the student union pub.

He earned his accounting degree in 1986 while working at the Victoria Empress Hotel, then moved on to the Mandarin Hotel and the Hotel Vancouver. It all led to somewhere he loved. In 1998, he hung out his own shingle in Tsawwassen with his wife, Trish, and opened a second office in White Rock in 2003. Jim found his work to be both rewarding and challenging, it was the best job he ever had. Jim’s work attire included his signature bow tie and unique hats.

Fatherhood brought out his best. He volunteered steadily for school and sports, and the house rang daily with the music of Jim and his sons practising. At the age of 70, becoming a father-in-law created more happiness.

Music and motorcycling brought him great joy. He evolved into a solid guitarist and clarinetist. During the last few years, he became a valued member of the Delta Music Makers. Jim’s passion for motorcycles started when he was a teenager after he won his first motorcycle in a store raffle. Jim’s other hobbies included photography, bird watching, smoking meats to perfection while wearing his Hawaiian shirt, computing and reading. He transitioned from playing squash to swimming and bicycling. Gardening and nurturing his beloved palms were important too.

We relied on his accurate memory for events, personal and worldly. Being a history major, his knowledge was vast and comprehensive. An unshakeable belief in democracy guided him throughout life.

Jim is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 37 years, Trish, sons Joseph, William (Hailey), and Jonathan (Samantha); sisters Dorrie (Brad) and Kathleen; sister-in-law Madeline (Bob-deceased); Aunts Helen (Jean-Pierre) and Carol; stepmother Betty; many cousins, nephews, nieces, friends and clients. Jim’s mother, Joan, tragically predeceased him in 1987 and his father, Thomas, in 2019.

Our words are inadequate to convey how deeply loved Jim was, and how much we will miss him. Gone too soon at 73.  

Celebration of Life is in the afternoon of Monday September 7th. If you would like to attend, please RSVP jimmurphyrsvp@yahoo.com to obtain further details.