Gavin Richard Murphy, suddenly on Friday 1 May 2026. Gavin was born 4 November 1951 in Montreal, son of Antoinette D’Auvergne Dumaresq (1918-2004), and of Richard Joseph Francis Murphy (1919-1954), and after 1959 of Charles Douglas Robertson (1922-2002). All three of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Gavin is survived by his siblings Brian Murphy (Martha Scott), Christine Stirling (John), and James Robertson (Kimberly Inksater). He is also survived by and remembered with love by his nephews and nieces, James, William, and Ian Murphy; Andrew, Alison, and David Stirling (D. 2018); and Rania Robertson and Hailey DePriest. He delighted in his family’s next generation including Amaryllis and Matilda Murphy, and Rowan Waelti. Gavin is lovingly remembered by his dear friend Sally Arsove.
Gavin moved with his family to Ottawa in 1961. He was a graduate of Lisgar Collegiate Institute, Carleton University, and the University of Ottawa Law School. Gavin held a Master of Laws (Distinction) in International and European Legal Studies from Durham University, England. He began his career as a journalist, and then worked at Canada’s Competition Bureau, the United Kingdom’s Office of Fair Trading, Justice Canada, and the International Joint Commission.
Gavin was legal editor of the Commonwealth Law Bulletin, Commonwealth Secretariat, London and later served for many years on that Bulletin’s Editorial Advisory Board. He was also Deputy Executive Editor of the Journal of Parliamentary and Political Law in Ottawa. He was the author of three books on law, and published numerous articles in law journals in Canada, England, and Ukraine. Gavin taught courses at law schools in Ottawa and Thunder Bay, Canada and was a guest lecturer at several law faculties in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Europe.
Gavin bought his house in New Edinburgh in 1984 and embraced the community with the same enthusiasm and energy he brought to his career. His interests were many and eclectic! The Rockcliffe Lawn Tennis Club, RMS Titanic (member, British Titanic Society), travel, photography, community newspapers, British cathedrals, music, Canadian history, biking, Ukraine, Monday walks with his brothers, and his coffee discussion group were central in his life. He threw himself into them with caring and delight; he did things, usually quietly.
He was politically engaged all his life and ran as the NDP Candidate for Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke in the 4 September 1984 General Election. Gavin’s commitment to social justice, both locally and globally, especially to universal health care, flowed from his kindness and humility. He gave money generously. Gavin lived an active life until his last hour.
Flowers gratefully declined. If you wish to make a donation in Gavin’s memory, please consider the Kemptville District Hospital or the charity of your choice.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Beechwood National Memorial Centre on Friday 17 July 2026 at 10 am.
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