By Julie McLaughlin
Local people have been thanked for being part of a poignant event at sea to remember a man who was born and raised in Newcastle before later emigrating to America. A flotilla of boats took to the Irish Sea on 19 July for the scattering of the ashes of Michael ‘Mick’ Murphy and to remember his life. Mr. Murphy had passed away last summer in California, where he was living.
“Last night we had the honour of taking part in the scattering of the ashes of an old friend from the harbour, Michael (Mick) Murphy from King Street,” Barry Cartwright, of Newcastle, said the day after the event. He said that Mick, as he was known to friends, had been living in America for decades. “His ashes were brought home by his wife Seana,” Barry said. “There was a great turnout from the local boats, bringing family and friends out to say their farewell. Rest in peace Mick.”
Newcastle resident Tessa Murphy, Mick’s sister-in-law, helped to organise the event. She said there were about 10 local boats and around 60 people involved, plus two RNLI boats and crew taking part. “We were just delighted that he could come home and be laid to rest, outside the house he was reared in, at sea,” Tessa said. “The harbour and Newcastle were a great part of his life, even though he lived so far away.”
She wanted to thank everyone, on behalf of the family, who took part for their role in remembering Mick. Tessa explained that he had lived at King Street in Newcastle before moving to California. “He left here just over 40 years ago and he had settled in San Francisco where he met his wife Seana [Yancey Murphy].”
In the full story Mick’s sister in law explains his life growing up in Newcastle.
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