Murphy, renowned for his contributions to newspapers, radio, and TV, passed away at 77. Rex Murphy, the Newfoundland-born pundit known for his incisive commentaries, leaves behind a lasting legacy in Canadian media.

You might not agree with what Rex had to say, but oh, boy, could he ever say it, said comedian and fellow Newfoundlander Mark Critch, who performed an impression of Murphy on This Hour Has 22 Minutes.

In a report released on Thursday, it was disclosed that Murphy succumbed to cancer, with his last interaction noted on Tuesday, when he inquired about his latest column.

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey conveyed condolences on social media, stating, “People here are mourning one of our own tonight,” recognizing Murphy’s impact on the region.

Furey highlighted Murphy’s unparalleled wit and linguistic prowess, acknowledging his significant presence in media, regardless of differing opinions—a sentiment echoed by Critch in his own reflections.

Reflecting on his close connection with Murphy, Critch shared his upbringing alongside the pundit, emphasizing the pervasive influence Murphy had in his life, growing up adjacent to a radio station where both his father and Murphy worked.

The comedian Mark Critch shared memories of Rex Murphy, who passed away from cancer at 77.

”I’ve only known a world with Rex in it,’ said Critch, reminiscing on when he was a boy, his father had worked with Murphy and that was how he first came to know the ‘man with wild hair, in a golden turtleneck.

As a little boy, I remember seeing this man with wild hair in a golden turtleneck, listening to music with dad at the house and he was larger than life.

Controversy

Murphy faced criticism, particularly for his involvement in paid speaking engagements for the oil industry.

While hosting Cross Country Checkup and contributing to The National, concerns were raised in 2014 regarding a potential conflict of interest due to his participation in oil industry events.

Despite backlash, Murphy staunchly defended the sector, citing its role in salvaging the livelihoods of many Newfoundlanders after the collapse of the East Coast fisheries. He emphasized his autonomy in his speeches, asserting that neither the oil industry nor the CBC influenced his opinions.

In his later years, Murphy emerged as a vocal critic of the federal Liberal Party and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration, despite his prior affiliations with the provincial Liberal Party in the mid-1980s.

However, he retained admirers within the Liberal camp, including veteran politician Bob Rae, who expressed fondness and admiration for Murphy despite their ideological differences, praising his love for Newfoundland and Canada and his fearlessness.

Murphy was a vocal critic of “wokeism” and progressive ideologies, arguing that conservative voices like his were being marginalized.

In a 2022 column, he lamented the fervor of woke politics and the resulting cancel culture, which dictated what topics could or could not be discussed.

Two years prior, Murphy found himself embroiled in controversy for another article. Following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, Murphy accused liberals, both within and outside the party, of inflating racism in Canada.

Most Canadians, the vast majority in fact, are horrified by racism and would never participate in it, he wrote. We are in fact not a racist country, though to say so may shock some.

The column sparked widespread condemnation, leading to an editorial review at the Post. Ultimately, the newspaper appended a note at the top of the article acknowledging that it did not meet the publication’s standards.