Thank you from the Murphy Family
Evo’s note - The John Harris, Joe’s cousin from California (recall that show when they came to visit?) sent me this note and asked me to publish here for all of your to see. Those of you who posted the tribute show are welcome to take it and spread it wide. Joe came from good stock!
To the Far Point Media Family,
We’d like to take a moment to say thank you.
I was getting off the plane in Peoria, IL the Sunday before Joe’s funeral service and I remembered one of the reasons Joe moved to Phoenix– the cold IL winters.
Another reason for the move was to work more closely with Michael and Evo on their various podcasts. Joe wanted to make that move because he wished to further that friendship he had built with Michael and Evo.
The pastor at Joe’s service mentioned one of Joe’s great traits– that “he knew no stranger.” You get a sense of that when you read Dale Cordes comment on the Wingin It post “Joe Murphy - In Loving Memory“. Dale, a long-time friend, wrote, “The first words I heard him say as he walked in the room in 5th grade… ‘Hi, I’m Joe. Will you be my friend?’” Doug the Trivia Guy spoke of this trait in the “Joe Murphy Tribute” when he mentioned Joe welcoming him into the studio and immediately feeling that he belonged just from the way Joe looked at him (we’re going to miss that big, warm Joe smile).
The internet promised to bridge communities that were geographically spread around the world. But, far too often, we hear of the sinister ways in which the internet is abused– false online identities, online predators, stolen personal information and how the internet is used for hate. Of course Joe would be the one who, through the internet, found true friends. I could hear how much that friendship meant to Joe whenever he talked about what was happening with the podcasts or of his time hanging out in Arizona.
Our family wanted to say thanks. Thank you to Michael and Evo for being great friends. Thank you to Michael and Lorrie for opening their home to Joe as he dealt with his cancer. Thank you to Evo and Sheila, the other friends in the studio and the rest of the Far Point Media family for being there for whatever he needed, no matter how small or large, like running out for ginger at the first sign of nausea. Thank you for your kindness and your assistance in making it possible for Joe’s father’s trips to AZ be as logistically simple as possible so that he could spend his time with Joe and dealing with the various doctors and nurses. Thank you to those who contributed to the Joe Murphy Fund which has turned into the Joe Murphy Memorial Fund. Thank you to Leann who worked her own magic to get Penn and Teller, two of Joe’s heroes, to call him in his last days. Thank you to the fans who posted comments on the various sites and called into the voice mail line; those messages truly lifted his spirits. Thank you to the fans who simply kept Joe in their thoughts and prayers. It meant a lot to Joe and it means a lot to us.
Thank you!
With love,
John Harris and the rest of the Murphy family
April 18th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
That makes me smile.
What a great family.
He was a lucky guy.
April 18th, 2007 at 9:48 pm
Mike & Evo thanks so much for taking time out of your schedules to pay your last respects to your Podcasting buddy Joe. I was truly amazed to learn how Joe was such an important part of the Far Point Family.
April 18th, 2007 at 10:24 pm
I echo the thanks from Joe’s family for all the Far Point Media family was able to do for Joe.
Also, for what little I was able to do. You are welcome. I wish that I could have done more.
April 19th, 2007 at 11:34 am
Dear John, thank you for your kind words. Certainly the Far Point Media family deserve a standing ovation for their unselfish devotion to a dear friend who will be missed by all.
As I’ve said before, I am humbled by the deeds and expressions from all of Joe’s fans and friends, no matter what they were.
April 19th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
One of the few truths I hold dear and keep learning about is the friends are the family you choose to be with.
April 20th, 2007 at 6:35 pm
Wow, John totally cool,poignant, wonderful note. Thanks so much for sharing. The part that touches me and warms me the most:
The internet promised to bridge communities that were geographically spread around the world. But, far too often, we hear of the sinister ways in which the internet is abused– false online identities, online predators, stolen personal information and how the internet is used for hate. Of course Joe would be the one who, through the internet, found true friends. I could hear how much that friendship meant to Joe whenever he talked about what was happening with the podcasts or of his time hanging out in Arizona.
Man, that sooo rocks. So often we get distracted by big media or efforts from a handful of asshats. It’s great to be reminded that there are some cool folks communicating and sharing via the internet to make this place a little better. Joe was a perfect example of this.
April 21st, 2007 at 4:42 pm
So say we all!
No man is poor if he has good friends and family, Joe is verry rich indeed.
May 6th, 2007 at 10:12 pm
Just catching up on the continued comments from Joe’s well wishers. I come to this site often when I’m thinking about Joe. I also just want Michael, Evo and all of the Far Point Media family to know you’ll never be forgotten.