Obituary - Paul Murphy

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Christchurch-based adviser Paul Murphy died earlier this week. Paul retired from financial planning in 2012, but was highly regarded in the industry. Good Returns has gathered some thoughts from his peers to acknowledge his passing. 

Tuesday, May 3rd 2016, 12:44PM 5 Comments

Earlier this week a very special man Paul Murphy passed away.

Paul was an absolute stalwart of the financial services industry and there are many people who have had the privilege of knowing Paul over a long number of years.

A true gentleman Paul took an interest in everyone around him and was so particularly proud of his wife, 2 daughters, son-in-law and beloved grandchildren.

Paul always had a mission to ensure that those in the financial services industry were respected, knowledgeable, skilled and most importantly loved coming to work each day.

He had a long and rewarding relationship with his clients prior to his retirement and maintained a large number of those friendships over the past few years. The respect and love for Paul was very evident.

Thoughts are with Mary-Jo and the family and to the team at Sentry Financial (Ian, Pat, Heather, Katrina, Lydia) who proudly carry on the fantastic work that Paul laid the foundations for.

Rest in peace Mr Murphy.

Trisha Edmonds - ANZ Investments Head of Advisory Distribution

Paul Murphy apart from being an excellent and highly respected adviser was also just an all-round good guy.

He joined what was then the IAFP in 1992 – received his CFP certification in 1999 and remained an active member of the professional body through to his retirement in December 2012.

He was always great company be it at a conference, social event in Ligon Street or at home with Mary Jo – he had an infectious personality – too young, too soon, too sad.

Fred Dodds - IFA chief executive

Paul Murphy started in the financial planning industry working for Westpac Bank in Merrivale and went to build one of New Zealand's most successful planning businesses based on knowledge, service and trust. Many of his clients remained life long friends. He also found time to serve as a senior rugby referee and devoted some of his time to charity work.

However, his best work was with his family whom he very much loved and adored.

He leaves this world far too early, but will be remembered and admired for many years to come.

Paul Fyfe, former managing director Armstrong Jones/ING

Although I have known Paul for over 40 years having worked with him in the old CBA Bank, then with Westpac PIC’s, distance kept our contact mostly to conferences.

I will always remember Paul as having those uncommon traits of being a true gentleman, courtesy from another era, and totally focused on other people’s interests above his own. I witnessed his dedication and service to his clients to a level I would have liked to achieve myself, and have not seen in anyone else.

He was a good man who should have enjoyed more years in retirement for his life of service to others.

Alan Read, Adviser, Newton Ross

I knew Paul from 1993 when I started work at UDC.  He was part of a team that were originally part of the old Westpac PIC staff (nationally) that when closed down many including Paul set up their own financial planning businesses many of which still are operating today. Paul was a leader in the industry without having to yell and make a noise.

A quiet achiever but when a view was required he would never hesitate in giving it simply and passionately.  He gave his time willingly to anyone that asked of it, and was a member of a number of working groups that helped form the industry we have today.  I was lucky to be working in the same building at the time in Christchurch and along with Jeremey Thompson (his business partner at Financial Strategies at the time) and they helped me see the value of advice and in particular Paul spent many hours with me showing why direct fixed Interest was an important part of a client’s portfolio. 

I know he had the respect of many in the industry from providers of financial products and advisers alike. He loved his family, golf, and I know like my good self was a one-eyed Cantabrian but never forgetting his family routes and childhood back over in the West Coast of the South Island. He will be terribly missed and remembered to be one of the good buggers of the industry.

David Boyle | Group Manager, Investor Education
Commission for Financial Capability

Paul's funeral will be held at St Mark's Presbyterian Church, 150 Withells Road, Avonhead, on Friday, May 6, at 1.00pm.

Tags: Obituaries

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