A memorial has been started at Jiffy Cabs in tribute to the late George Murphy—who passed away suddenly on the weekend at the age of 58.
Inscribed on a wooden frame laid against the building on the corner of Pennywell Road and Cashin Avenue are the words “Rest in Peace George.”
Laying next to the frame were flowers. Some of which were bright and yellow, reflecting not only the trademark yellow of Jiffy Cabs, but Murphy’s sunny personality as well.
A tribute to the late George Murphy outside the Jiffy Cabs building in St. John's @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/6eghEwAo5C
— Richard Duggan (@RDugganVOCM) June 7, 2021
Raymond Price, a driver with Jiffy, says he knew Murphy since around 2007. He describes him as a soft-spoken man who was “genuinely a gentleman.”
Price says Murphy would often say silly things over the radio, and laughed as he recalled him singing “Barretts Privateers.”
House of Assembly Reflects on Character of George Murphy, a Former MHA
(The House of Assembly rises for a moment of silence in honour of George Murphy.)
Tributes were paid to the late George Murphy in the House of Assembly this afternoon.
Premier Andrew Furey called Murphy a ‘true friend.’
“George Murphy had a strong voice, a large social conscience, and an even bigger heart. His love of Newfoundland and Labrador was just who he was, and it was at the centre of everything he did,” Furey told his colleagues in the Legislature this afternoon.
(George Murphy addresses media during his time in the House of Assembly.)
Opposition Leader David Brazil remembered Murphy as a “true gentleman.”
“I recall vividly that George ran against me in my first election and on election night he came to my headquarters to congratulate me—offered me advice and made sure that I would act in the best interests of the district. At that moment I didn’t consider him an opponent, but considered him a friend.”
The NDP’s Jim Dinn echoed many of the sentiments already expressed since Murphy’s sudden and unexpected passing.
“He loved being an MHA, his commitment to the people of the province was strong. Why else would he take it upon himself to research price fluctuations in gas and oil week after week, and let people know, free of charge, so they could adjust their fill-ups accordingly?”
