Obituary of James Neil CD (Ret'd). Murphy

November 12, 1932 – Kaslo, British Columbia

April 20, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Jim was born in the small railroad village of Kaslo, British Columbia.  He spent his early years in the Kootenays until his family moved to Vancouver where he completed the rest of his schooling, graduating from Kitsilano High School.  Those were the days when you could afford to live in Vancouver and spend your summers swimming in the Pacific Ocean at Kits Beach.  Although his military career would eventually take him to other enjoyable parts of Canada and the world, his love of British Columbia remained a constant throughout his life.

It was there he met and married his first wife, Jacqueline Norma Murphy, on April 21, 1954. Together they had three children, Brad Murphy, Sheri Wright, and Erin Parker. After Jim and his first wife went separate ways, Jim married Elizabeth (Ann) Graham nee Parsons on June 30, 1966, and she brought her two children and a cat into the family.  Together they raised her son Ian Graham (recently deceased) and her daughter Nanda Graham.

Jim’s career in the Canadian Army began as an Officer Cadet in April 1951. He was subsequently commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Armored Corps in June 1953. Over the next 37 years, Jim would be posted to Chilliwack, Calgary, Camp Borden, Oakville, Winnipeg, Kingston, Iserlohn and Lahr in Germany, Trenton, St. Hubert, Rome, and Oslo.  He attended the Canadian Army Staff College in Kingston and the NATO Defense College in Rome. One highlight of many in Jim’s career was his diplomatic posting to Rome as Canadian Military Attaché to both Italy and to Greece which he served for three years. He retired from his last posting as Base Commander at CFB Suffield as a full Colonel.  It was a great way to end his career.

Jim and Ann caught the travel bug from military life. They visited over 40 different countries in their 56 years of marriage, having many great adventures. At the age of 90, before passing, he was planning his next trip for later this year – a cruise to South America.

He was happiest when he was with family and friends.  He loved his blended family of five children—Brad, Sheri, Erin, Ian, and Nanda—and all the ensuing grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jim enjoyed spending time with his family, whether playing card games (he was a keen game player), meeting over dinner or sharing an outing.  He was a generous, loving and very devoted father, and was proud of their accomplishments. He was especially proud that his son and his grandson followed in his footsteps as members of his regiment, The Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians), an armoured regiment.

All the children adored their father and grandfather and will miss his good humour and listening ear.  Along with his surviving wife and children, Jim leaves behind eleven grandchildren:  John, Bryson, Briana, Marnie, Kate, Ariel, Leela, Nicole, Ben, and Liam. He also leaves four great-grandchildren: Alice, Rowan, Ryker, and Jaxon. 

Jim loved spending his time in the outdoors, especially in our local mountains.  He took up downhill skiing in Ontario and honed his skills in Norway and Austria.  He began cross-country skiing, sailing, hiking, and orienteering with his family during their three years in Oslo.  While living in Rome, he and Ann took windsurfing lessons on a small lake north of Rome, having to be rescued because of a wind change only once. 

After retirement and their move to Calgary, he and Ann joined several hiking and ski clubs. He was an active member of the Norseman Ski Club and Calgary Weekend Hikers for over 30 years. 

He also took an interest in theatre and at one time or another volunteered for Lunchbox Theater, Mystery Theatre, Theatre Calgary, and Alberta Theatre Projects.  A movie buff much like his own mother, he volunteered for the Calgary International Film Festival every year up until the COVID pandemic. He also volunteered for the RESET Society Book Sale every spring and as a White Hatter at Calgary Airport for ten years.  He and Ann attended the Banff Mountain Book and Film Festival at least six or seven years in a row, booking eight nights of accommodation each time so they could be there every day of the festival.

Jim was always a gentleman, always gracious and always embracing opportunities for celebrating life. He loved to see and do new things.  One of the great pleasures he got out of travel was to experience the cuisines of the world.  He even grew to really love eating sushi despite being slow to warm to it.  He enjoyed good food, good wine, whisky, and craft beers. Jim also loved to read.  He preferred science fiction, espionage, and murder mysteries.  He always had a book in hand at home and one on his smartphone.   He also played games on his phone to challenge his mind. 

Jim was a valued member of numerous organizations, including The Friends of Fish Creek, the Royal Canadian Legion, Centennial Calgary Branch 285, the National Association of Federal Retirees, Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) and a life member of Hostelling International and the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps Association.

Jim was very grateful that he and Ann made the move in 2019 from their house in Lake Bonavista to the Journey Club in Mahogany Village where they rode out COVID and made many, many new friends.

Jim will be sadly missed by all who were lucky enough to know him.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Myeloma Canada, 1255 Trans Canada Route, Dorval, Quebec H9P 2V4, Tel: (+1 888-798-5771, https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/10275?v2=true.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of James, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.