Jack loved life and lived it his way whenever possible. It was a very full life. He fought for it 32 years ago when he first became ill with cancer. For the last 22 years he lived cancer-free after a heroic battle with a stem-cell transplant from his dear brother, Jim. It was miraculous. Unfortunately, he very recently succumbed to a different and very aggressive cancer. We will always be thankful to his many oncologists, other doctors and support staff especially Dr. Kevin Song, Dr. Jay Aiken and Dr. Phil Huggett.
Jack was an entrepreneur and founded MYRA Systems Corp. with his wife, Barb in 1985. They ran it successfully for 38 years. He was a natural leader.
Jack also volunteered his time to a small company, which in recent years, assisted the First Nations Peoples of BC. He hated oppression and worked hard to understand and assist the Indigenous Peoples.
Jack was well respected and tried to “take the high road” in his dealings with others. His generosity, charm, insight, wisdom and strength assisted many, many people over the years.
Jack was born in Medicine Hat, Alberta. The fifth child of Jack and Lil Murphy. He graduated from St Francis High School in Calgary and had a math degree “with computer emphasis” from UVic. There were no computer science degrees then. He was one of 12 graduates from the program.
He was predeceased by his parents and 2 of his sisters, Marilyn McCubbin and Marguerite Clifford, as well as his in-laws Peter and Diane Cotsworth and Joan Cotsworth.
Jack is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Barb. Jack and Barb had a strong and loving relationship. He is also survived by his 2 wonderful sons, Trevor and Crispin (Clara), who now are successfully running MYRA Systems.
Jack had 3 amazing grandchildren: Juniper, Jasper and Camellia. They all truly miss their Grandpa Jack.
Jack is also survived by his siblings: Jim, Pat (Gibb), Maureen (McMillan), Larry and Carolyn (De Jong) and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his dear sister-in-law, Dr. Nancy Brager, who was a huge support to Jack and his family throughout his life and his cancer journeys. Kim Kiem (Carlos) is also a dear sister-in-law who has also survived Jack.
Jack died, at home, as was his wish, holding the hand of the woman he deeply loved and who he had shared his life with. His wonderful family also shared in his final moments. He is now at peace.
Jack will always be in our hearts. He was well and truly loved.
The family gratefully declines flowers. If you wish, please contribute to the BC Cancer Foundation, or the Victoria Hospital Foundation, or the VGH and UBC Hospital Foundation, or a charity of your choice in Jack’s memory.
A Celebration of Jack’s Life will be held on Friday, April 24th, 2026, at the Royal Colwood Golf Course, 629 Goldstream Ave, Victoria, BC at 2:00 pm.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
This obituary is the property of the “Murphy” family and may not be reproduced, distributed, or altered in any way without prior written consent.
14 Responses
Dear Barb, Trevor, Crispin and the rest of the family,
Please accept my deepest condolences.
I am heartbroken to lose not only my former boss, but great mentor and friend. I am profoundly grateful for 33 years of guidance, wisdom, encouragement and friendship he gave me during my work time with Myra. With Barb by his side, they gave work opportunities, mentorship and directions to many new immigrants, including me.
Jack was the great leader and remarkable person. He thought me the value of integrity, patience and reliability. He truly touched countless lives and helped shape futures in ways that will carry forward for generations.
Please know that my thoughts are with all of you. I hope you find comfort in the memories you share and in the knowledge of how much he was admired and appreciated.
With deepest sympathy and respect
Yatza and Vlaho
Firstly, my condolences to all – this is very sad news.
When I look back at my time at Myra, where we all fought hard as a team we had one person showing and leading the way – Jack (with his own blend of toughness and fairness). That’s the mark of Jack’s grit and determination – overcoming illness, leading a group of very smart people, being incredibly consistent in his approach with a long term view of what needed to be done (and doing it). I took onboard a great deal of that experience, and credit the time spent at Myra and with Jack as foundational when I moved into other roles. Thank you Jack (and Myra).
I’m truly sorry I cannot make the celebration of life – I am 1,000’s of miles away – my thoughts, though a poor substitute, are there with you all.
All the best – Steve
Dear Crispin, Trevor, Barb, and the entire Murphy family,
I was deeply saddened to hear of Jack’s passing. Please accept my most sincere and heartfelt condolences during this very difficult time.
I have always held Jack, and your entire family, in the highest regard. He was someone who made a profound difference in the lives of so many people through his character, his leadership, and the way he treated others. His impact reached far beyond what many may ever fully realize. He set an example of integrity, generosity, and strength that will continue to inspire those who had the privilege of knowing him.
Jack’s legacy is one of positive influence, meaningful relationships, and a life lived with purpose. He truly touched countless lives and helped shape futures in ways that will carry forward for generations. He will be remembered with deep respect and gratitude.
Please know that my thoughts are with all of you. I hope you find comfort in the memories you share and in the knowledge of how much he was admired and appreciated.
With deepest sympathy and respect,
Glenn Anthony Vaags
Barb, Trevor, and Crispin,
I was deeply saddened to hear the news about Jack. My time at MYRA remains a true highlight of my career. The culture Jack and Barb built, the talented people they attracted, and the opportunities they provided to expand my experience set the foundation for my professional growth.
From my salary “negotiations” to Jack challenging me to pick up new skills on the fly—often getting certified in weeks to support a new sale—he always kept me engaged and on my toes. I am also incredibly grateful to Jack and Barb for the support they showed Anita and me, both during our time at MYRA and in the years since. As so many others have said, it truly speaks to the kind of people they are.
Jack’s influence lives on in the many people he mentored, and I feel lucky to be one of them.