Michael Murphy, 81

Novato resident Michael J. Murphy, 81, passed away on October 19 at his home.

Born in Wexford, Ireland on April 18, 1932, Murphy grew up in Kilkenny and graduated from University College Dublin with a degree in civil engineering, according to an obituary in the San Francisco Chronicle.

After working on Baffin Island, Murphy returned to Kilkenny where he met and married his wife Anne. The couple moved to Montreal, Canada, where they raised five children while Mike worked for Alcan and earned a graduate degree in business from McGill University.

He then joined Bechtel, a career opportunity that moved the family to Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and Chile. The family later settled in Mill Valley. Mike loved a good party, family get-togethers, and entertaining with Anne. His charm, wry wit, and generous spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew him, most especially Anne, sons Declan (wife Kajsa), Niall, Brian, and Gavin (wife Leila), daughter Deirdre (husband Philip), eight grandchildren, and two step-granddaughters.

Friends are invited to a memorial at 4 PM on November 8 at the Outdoor Art Club, 1 W Blithedale Ave, Mill Valley, CA. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to St. Vincent De Paul Society of Marin County or Marin Food Bank.