MURPHY, SEAN JOSEPH

MURPHY - SEAN JOSEPH - Died on November 6, 2023, unexpectedly, in Toronto. He was predeceased by his parents, brother Larry and his sisters Fran and Kay. He will be sorely missed by his beloved wife, Karen, his sisters Bernie, Brid, Carmel and Lori and his many nieces and nephews.

Sean was born in Dublin, “in the rare old times”. His career in travel began on Fleet Street in London where he was head hunted by Bord Fáilte/Irish Tourist Board to return to Dublin. His success over the years led him to Toronto in 1983. In 1989, he left the Irish Tourist Board and launched his second career by opening the Irish Travel Bureau; his first job was coordinating the travel arrangements for the Irish games at the SkyDome. Over the many years he brought thousands of people to and from Ireland.

In 1985 he had the good fortune to meet Karen Whitaker and on November 18, 1989, in an unforgettable wedding in Niagara on the Lake, Sean and Karen were married. Karen was the love of Sean’s life and Sean’s rock.

In 2007 Sean was chosen as the Irish Person of the Year and in March 2008 he led the St Patrick’s Day Parade as Grand Marshall. Both of these honours were in recognition of his enormous contribution to the Irish community in Toronto. “The Murph”, loved his adopted country but never forgot his love for Ireland.

The family will receive friends at the Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles – Newbigging Chapel, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville) from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 12th. A funeral mass will be held at Blessed Sacrament Church, 24 Cheritan Avenue, Toronto, (at Yonge Street south of Lawrence), on Monday, November 13, at 11am. Livestreaming of the funeral can be found on the church website https://blessedsacrament.archtoronto.org/ , a YouTube link.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for the many years of excellent care given to Sean at St Michael’s Hospital, by a comprehensive team of medical professionals, especially those in the Dialysis Unit. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St Michael’s Foundation.

https://stmichaelsfoundation.com/seanjosephmurphy .

Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.

Sean was such a huge character ... he was a unique individual, never short of an opinion and his generosity knew no bounds. He will leave a void that cannot be filled.

SEAN, WE WILL MISS YOU FOREVER

Ní fheicimid a leithéid arís.

We shall never look upon his like again.

Arrangements under the direction of Humphrey Funeral Home, A.W. Miles Newbigging Chapel Ltd., Toronto, ON Canada, 1 (800) 616-3311