Maurice (Maury) Anthony Murphy

In Loving Memory of

Maurice (Maury) Anthony Murphy

Maury Murphy lived a full life dedicated to family, community, and country until passing away on April 7, 2023, in Kaslo, B.C. at the age of 97.

Maury was born in Red Deer, Alberta on February 23, 1926, to James and Janet (Hart) Murphy. The Murphy family, including his older sisters Lucille and Margaret (Peg), and brother John, moved to their orchard farm in Erickson in 1927.

After graduating from high school in Creston, Maury joined the Royal Canadian Navy and served from 1944-1946. Maury started as a radar operator on the HMCS Midland (corvette) and then served on the HMCS Prescott on convoy duty in the Atlantic: he was on the English Channel on V-E Day. After V-E Day, Maury returned to Canada and served in the Pacific on the HMCS Woodstock until he was discharged in the spring of 1946. Maury was a member of the Creston Legion Branch #29 for 79 years.

Upon return to Erickson, Maury partnered with his sister and brother-in-law, Lucille and Arvid Samuelson, in a delivery service, “S & M Coal & Cartage”.

In 1950, Maury met Irene Carter, who had just arrived in the Creston Valley for her first teaching job. Maury was quickly smitten and after a determined courtship, they were married April 12, 1952. Maury purchased his parent’s farm and lived in Erickson with Irene throughout their 67 years of marriage. Maury was a loving father of their 3 children, Sheila (1955), Kevin (1958) and Janice (1962).

Maury was a keen orchardist, always learning new techniques, sharing his fruit with family and friends, employing many workers, and was known for his interest in tree grafting. As most small orchard farmers, Maury had another job: he worked for the East Creston Irrigation District for 37 years, retiring as Superintendent in June 1991. 

Maury was a lifetime member of the United Church and served as a trustee for many years. Maury continued his service to community as an active member of the Creston Lions Club for 72 years, joining in 1951. Maury was the Club’s representative for “sight preservation and action” and his dedication to this cause enabled him to collect more than 70,000 pairs of prescription glasses that would find their way to people around the world that might not otherwise have the gift of sight. Maury also served as Club Secretary for over 30 years; Chairman of the Blossom Festival Queen Pageant; long-time overseer of the Lions’ mint sales; representative of the Club for Christmas Day hospital visitations and presentations of gifts to patients and extended care residents for over 50 years; and he was a regular volunteer at events served by the Lions Club’s mobile kitchen. Maury also led the Lions Club’s Adopt-a-Highway program for many years, which saw the clean up of litter along Highway 3A and maintenance of the Lions Club’s Viewpoint pavilion. In October 2022, the Creston Lions Club dedicated and renamed the pavilion to “Maury & Irene Murphy” in recognition of the services of Maury and his wife Irene. In 2019, Maury was recognized for his services by Lions International by being awarded the Melvin Jones Award. This is the highest recognition possible for a Lions Club member. Maury was also honoured and humbled to be awarded Creston’s Citizen of the Year in 2019.

Sister-in-law Kathleen Hood once said that she couldn’t remember Maury ever saying no to someone in need. Maury didn’t say a lot, but he sure did a lot.

Maury really enjoyed visiting with family and friends, as well as fishing, photography, bird watching, square dancing, round dancing, and many RV holidays, travelling all the way across Canada as well as all over B.C., Alberta, Alaska, Yukon, the Western United States, Ireland and Mexico.

Maury is predeceased by his wife Irene (2019), sisters Lucille (1990) and Peg (2010), and brother John (1986). Maury is survived by his son Kevin (Margaret); daughters Sheila (Ray) and Janice (Gordon); grandchildren Jennifer (Matt), David (Jessica), Kevin, Mike (Amanda), Connor, Kate (Noah), Erin, and Clayton (Sandy); and great grandchildren: Hannah, Beau, Carter, Cohen, Claire, Jack, Mabel, Artie, Luke, and Maddy. Maury also leaves behind many beloved friends, cousins, nieces and nephews and their children. Maury’s dedication to his family, friends and community will never be forgotten and he will remain in our hearts forever.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 8, 2023 at the Trinity United Church in Creston, B.C. 

The family would like to thank the Creston Home Support workers, Susan Markine, the staff at the Swan Valley Lodge (Creston), and the staff at the Victorian Long Term Care of Kaslo, for all the loving care given to Maury. The family would also like to thank Maury’s other “families” for their love and support: his Creston Lions Club family and his United Church family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Creston Lions Club or the Creston & District Historical & Museum Society.

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