It was not to be.

Two days later, on a Saturday afternoon, Kathleen was babysitting at Mary Jane’s home. That afternoon, Bill had gone to the farmers’ market to buy some corn, and they were looking forward to a quiet Saturday evening together. Kathleen called Bill a couple of times at home as she sensed he was not feeling well. After the second time, she placed a call to Kevin, asking if he would go check on Bill. Kevin, accompanied by his son Ben, found his father in some distress. Kevin urged Bill to go to the hospital; after Bill was admitted at the emergency department, Kevin called Kathleen. She rushed out, alarmed to find that Bill was now in intensive care, suffering from an apparent heart attack. Although he had always been in apparent good health, he had long suffered what medical authorities call an arterial fibrillation. Now his heart was giving out.

Soon the whole family was at Bill’s bedside. They kept vigil, and prayed together in the chapel. Sensing the end, Bill called his sons and daughter in one at a time to tell them that he loved them and say his good—byes He died two days later, at 8:00 pm. on August 23. Kathleen was shocked and devastated by the sudden and unexpected turn of events.

At the hugely attended wake, Bill’s enormous contribution was reflected in the many people who said what a great friend and help he had been to them, and how he helped change their lives. One by one throughout the receiving line, mourners recounted the support and encouragement they had received from Bill as they faced their own problems. (Shawn would later recall that when he first ran for federal politics in 2000, he would be asked on a number of different occasions if he was the son of the late Bill Murphy. Upon answering yes, he was told, without given any details, that his father had helped out a member of the family many years ago, and as a result, he could count on their support.)

Bill’s untimely death not only shocked his family and friends, but also the community. Charlottetown Mayor TeX MacDonald said the city lost “the soul of city council” with Bill’s death. Premier Catherine Callbeck issued a statement praising his devotion to his family and public service. “The

154 KATHLEEN MURPHY, MAITRIARC