John Murphy is best known to the people of Newfoundland and
Labrador in his dual roles of public servant and independent
businessperson.
He served the people of St. John’s for 17 years –
as deputy mayor for four years and as mayor for 13 years.
During his term as mayor, St. John’s absorbed a large
number of satellite communities and expanded from 25 square
miles to 200 square miles. His achievements include saving
the historic look of old St. John’s through neighbourhood
improvement, housing repair and subsidized infill housing
programs. As well, under his leadership St. John's initiated
and completed extensive road constructions in and out of the
city.
In the business world, Mr. Murphy was president of John J.
Murphy Ltd. which owned and operated seven retail stories
in the province, including the Arcade store in St. John's, a Water Street
fixture for many years. Mr. Murphy has served as president
of the Newfoundland Board of Trade, a member of the Advisory
Board of Royal Trust, and a director of Lawton’s Drugs,
Great Eastern Oil and Texaco.
His community service record includes the chairmanship of
the Salvation Army Red Shield Campaign, the Leave a Legacy
Newfoundland committee and a patron of the 508 Air Cadet Caribou
Squadron. He has been chairman of the Canadian Forces Liaison
Council, spent eight years on the National Capital Commission
and sat on the Board of Regents of Memorial University.
Mr. Murphy has been named a Member of the Order of Canada, and awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, the Canada Medal, and the Paul Harris Fellowship Rotary Medal.
Mr. Murphy will receive an honorary doctor of laws degree
during the 3 p.m. session of convocation on Friday, May 27.
