Murray James Dunphy
August 24, 1923 – July 29, 2020
Murray James Dunphy passed away peacefully at home, on July 29, 2020 just shy of his 97th birthday. He was born in East Chezzetcook on August 24, 1923, the middle son of the late Anne (Cooper) and Frederick Dunphy. At a young age, Murray moved to Montague Mines with the family where he attended school, eventually returning to Chezzetcook.
If you were to look up “salt of the earth” in the dictionary, you would find Murray Dunphy (aka Puppy; Mate) At an early age he began work cleaning chickens in the slaughter house in East Chezzetcook He went on to work in the mines, dug foundations with a “steam shovel” and drove truck hauling rock and gravel during the building of the Shearwater Airport. When the war broke out, he was working cutting logs clearing Major Street in Dartmouth. He enlisted in the army in October 1943 and became a member of the Queen’s Own Riflemen until he was discharged in April 1946, after being wounded by shrapnel in Holland. He was a decorated veteran who fought willingly for the freedom of others.
After the war he continued working in construction with heavy equipment and later became a foreman for W. Eric Whebby. He owned a service station on Main Street in Dartmouth until he started Dunphy Brothers Excavation Ltd. with his late brother Clyde in 1968.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Mary Ellen Dunphy (Travis); brother Leo Dunphy (Chezzetcook); daughters Joanne Hull(Andy) Halifax; Rosemary Dunphy (Gord Hall) Dartmouth; Donna Lynn King(Greg-deceased), Fall River and Laura Lee(Tikki) Vellner (Marty) Alberta; sons Fred Dunphy, Dartmouth ; Bill Dunphy(Nancy) Dartmouth and Ken Dunphy (Brenda) Dartmouth, 17 grandchildren and 15 (soon to be 16) great-grandchildren who held a special place in his heart, and nieces Patti and Carol Ann. He was predeceased by his parents; his sister Evelyn; brother Clyde; great granddaughter Cassie Louise; and his loyal German Shepherd, Ruby.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to all the wonderful care givers who enabled Murray to spend his final days at home, in comfort with Mary, in the house he built.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Dartmouth Funeral Home. Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held at a later date, when it is safe to gather and family is able to travel.
That’s it Mate
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Murray James Dunphy August 24 1923 July 29 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Dartmouth, Province: Nova Scotia
Fred and family ….
So sorry to hear of your dads passing. Our thoughts are with you at this sad time.