Sad passing of Michael Murphy - RIP
Michael Murphy enriched the many lives he touched.
It is with much sadness that we communicate the passing of Michael Murphy
We regret to inform our ROCFC community that Michael Murphy succumbed to his 6 year long battle with cancer at 12.30am Monday 11th June, at home with family.
It is not possible, in a few words, to do justice to Michael’s involvement and impact on the ROCS (let alone his life as a family man, a man of strong faith, an old scholar, a financial planner and a person with strong business acumen etc).
Suffice it to say that Murph was the driving force and founder of the concept of a Rostrevor Old Collegians’ Footy Club.
He was inaugural Captain/Coach and later was President for a number of years. He has been a major sponsor of the ROCS over many years and his interest and concern for the Club has never waned through all stages of his busy life.
His generosity of time has also seen him as President of the ROCA and Chair of the Rostrevor Foundation and the Community Coordination Committee. He has received numerous accolades through his professional associations and has worked for a number of charities around Adelaide as Chair and Board member.
The attached profile composed in late 2010 gives some insight into his involvement and generosity.
The Club extends its condolences to Charlotte and their children: Amelia, Bridget, Patrick, Esther, Grace and Ellen and to his extended family and many friends.
A Rosary will be said at 6.00pm on Thursday 14th June in the Rostrevor College Chapel.
The funeral will be held at St Ignatius Church, Norwood at 1.30pm on Friday the 15th June, 137 William Street, Norwood – corner of William & Queen street
Troy Barnes
President R.O.C.F.C
Please see below tributes flowing in for Murph
A few more words from those who were there at the beginning
by David Clancey – Captain and President
“......My very early recollections of Murph were at the time of the formation of the Rostrevor Old Collegians Football Club. I had met Murph a few times and then one Sunday he come knocking on my parent’s front door with a petition that required some 50 or so signatures to have the SAAFL accept ROCFC into the ranks.
I was a little bemused to look at the signatures already on the list and to notice that a couple of my best mates names were on the list – in Frank Ali and Andrew Robertson, but at least one of the signatures looked very different to their normal signature – I think Murph had filled in for any people who weren’t at home when he visited!!
The very next year, Murph was kind enough to select me in the ROC’s team on numerous occasions when the Norwood Reserves couldn’t find a spot for me.
Murph was a very determined coach and certainly made his presence felt on and off the field. He successfully helped carve out that first season ROC’s grand final appearance in what would then send the ROC’s footy club on a fantastic journey that still thrives today.
Through the next 30 years, it seems Murph was regularly around the ROC’s footy club for any significant occasions, and I can personally attest to his support during the years from 1974 to 1996 – my last year at the ROC’s prior to moving to Melbourne.
Words that people will use to describe Murph will vary from determined, through knowledgeable right up to strongly opinionated and always up for a chat!!
I guess your first couple of senior sporting coaches are usually remembered by most people and I certainly remember Murph and his wonderful enthusiasm and zest for knocking over the opposition – literally. But for a skinny kid like me, he was also really good at directing me and encouraging me to perform well – I don’t think I ever incurred his wrath, but that may be due to my failing memory!
Once his coaching and playing days were over, I think Murph has been a sponsor of the ROC’s for near enough to 25 years – from whenever sponsors were first introduced and I think he was the most social non-drinker I have ever met, always keen to mingle and chat and sincerely interested in what career paths people were travelling along.
The one criticism I would have of Murph, was that I think as a landlord to 27 Tusmore Ave, he was probably a little too lenient during the occupancy of Clota, Cavanagh, Bowler and Bowler!!
But I am sure there will be plenty of discussion on that topic and many more at the wake for a man of genuine influence.”
[p.s. like me, Murph was also a student at Marist Brothers High School Thebarton – so I guess along with Paul Shadiac – we may be the only 3 people involved with both MBHS and the ROC’s!]
David Clancey
...... What sad news. I had heaps and heaps of respect for Murph. What a spirit and enthusiasm for life Mick had ! Indefatigable in every sense of the word. Never beaten, even when he was on his knees in reality ...... and rarely inclined to shut up too !! I think he had a far greater influence on the Club than what the old men's stories (hey that's us these days !) will every capture, and as a young bloke I reckon he had a darn good influence on me when we were all there starting it off as late-teenagers.
Tim Ryan
....I am shocked and deeply saddened at this news. I have not seen Murph for some time but he was someone that you could not see for years and when you did, he would make you feel like you saw him last weekend.
Reading Dave’s extract, brings back many great memories of the footy club, old scholars dinners and just anytime we were together during the 80’s & 90’s and as someone who benefitted enormously from those times, I owe a great deal to Murph, his vision and his hard work to build something that influenced us all in so many ways.
For those of us lucky enough to have been part of the ROCS at one time or another, we will always be indebted to Michael Murphy.
Unfortunately I will not be able to attend his Funeral but my thoughts and prayers will be with his immediate and extended family on Friday.
Simon Boots
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Read the excerpt from the Red & Black (PDF)
