John Joseph Murphy
Encyclopedia
John Joseph Murphy (St. John's, Newfoundland
) was a retired businessman and politician, and the 11th mayor of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
, Canada
.
He worked for a time as a radio announcer with VOCM
, but, following his marriage in 1951, to Marjorie Halley, joined Halley and Company, a dry goods wholesale and retail firm.
Following the death of his father-in-law, Patrick Halley, in 1956 Murphy became president of the company and expanded its retail chain, The Arcade, to nine stores in the St. John's and Conception Bay South
region. In 1990 only two of the stores were operating.
Murphy ran unsuccessfully as a Liberal
candidate in the 1966 provincial election and again in a by-election in 1970. Elected to St. John's City council in 1973, he became deputy mayor. In 1977 he lost a challenge to incumbent mayor Dorothy Wyatt, but defeated her in 1981. He won by acclamation
in 1985, did not run in the 1990 election, but was elected for again in 1993, and retired from city politics in 1997 after losing his bid for re-election as Mayor.
During his tenure on council Murphy was successful in restoring downtown residential properties by lobbying federal and provincial governments for home improvement funds. The city also began a housing program which won several national awards. In 1990 Murphy tried to convince the provincial government to expand the city's boundaries to include Mount Pearl, Paradise
, Conception Bay South and Wedgewood Park
.
On June 24, 1985, Murphy was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada and in May 2005, Murphy received the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa from the Memorial University of Newfoundland
.
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
) was a retired businessman and politician, and the 11th mayor of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
He worked for a time as a radio announcer with VOCM
VOCM (AM)
VOCM is an AM radio station in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, broadcasting at 590 kHz. Owned by Newcap Radio, VOCM first went on the air in 1936. October 19, 2011 marks 75 years of broadcasting for VOCM...
, but, following his marriage in 1951, to Marjorie Halley, joined Halley and Company, a dry goods wholesale and retail firm.
Following the death of his father-in-law, Patrick Halley, in 1956 Murphy became president of the company and expanded its retail chain, The Arcade, to nine stores in the St. John's and Conception Bay South
Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and Labrador
Conception Bay South is a town in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The town is commonly called C.B.S..As of 2006 the population was 21,966 which makes the town the third largest population centre in the province behind the cities of Mount Pearl and St. John's...
region. In 1990 only two of the stores were operating.
Murphy ran unsuccessfully as a Liberal
Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador is a political party in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada and the provincial wing of the Liberal Party of Canada. It is the Official Opposition and currently holds six seats in the provincial legislature.-Origins:The party originated in...
candidate in the 1966 provincial election and again in a by-election in 1970. Elected to St. John's City council in 1973, he became deputy mayor. In 1977 he lost a challenge to incumbent mayor Dorothy Wyatt, but defeated her in 1981. He won by acclamation
Acclamation
An acclamation, in its most common sense, is a form of election that does not use a ballot. "Acclamation" or "acclamatio" can also signify a kind of ritual greeting and expression of approval in certain social contexts in ancient Rome.-Voting:...
in 1985, did not run in the 1990 election, but was elected for again in 1993, and retired from city politics in 1997 after losing his bid for re-election as Mayor.
During his tenure on council Murphy was successful in restoring downtown residential properties by lobbying federal and provincial governments for home improvement funds. The city also began a housing program which won several national awards. In 1990 Murphy tried to convince the provincial government to expand the city's boundaries to include Mount Pearl, Paradise
Paradise, Newfoundland and Labrador
Paradise is a town on the Avalon Peninsula in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The town is a part of the St. John's Metropolitan Area. The town borders the City of St. John's, the City of Mount Pearl, the Town of Portugal Cove-St. Philip's, and the town of Conception Bay South...
, Conception Bay South and Wedgewood Park
Wedgewood Park, Newfoundland and Labrador
Wedgewood Park is a neighbourhood in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, located north of the city centre.A former town, Wedgewood Park was amalgamated into the city along with other areas, most notably the town Goulds, in 1991....
.
On June 24, 1985, Murphy was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada and in May 2005, Murphy received the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa from the Memorial University of Newfoundland
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Memorial University of Newfoundland, is a comprehensive university located primarily in St...
.