EoW July 2009

corporate news

Sad losses for the industry

Michael (Mike) Murphy

It is with deep regret that we announce the death of Michael (Mike) Murphy. Rea Industrial Handling Ltd, for whom Mike worked for many years, were members of the International Wire Machinery Association and in 1980 Mike was appointed as their representative to the IWMA Executive Committee. He remained in this capacity until 1994. During his term of office Mike was appointed to the Technical Papers Award Team, where his technical experience was invaluable in the selection of the technically most important paper presented at any IWMA conference in that particular year. In 1993, as a result of the merger of Rea Industrial Handling Ltd with Johnson Technology Ltd, Mike transferred his technical skills to Johnson ’ s where he was appointed technical manager, taking on the responsibilities of machine design and development, and technical sales duties.

In 2006, he received the Charles D Scott Distinguished Career award for his dedicated service to the wire and cable industry. He was selected by the Wire and Cable Manufacturers Alliance for his professional attainments and outstanding character. Jim was known to his family as ‘Mr Fix It.’ In his short retirement he spent endless hours at his daughters’ homes doing home repairs. He loved to play golf and enjoyed teaching his ‘son’ Charles, ‘the game.’ He was an avid New England sports fan. Besides his loving wife of over 44 years, he leaves behind his beloved children, Lisa Christensen and her husband Russell of Southington, Leah Bahner and her husband Jeep of Deep River and Gina Waltos and her husband Charles of South Windsor, nine grandchildren, Ashley, Nicole, Zachary and Jillian Christensen, Brad, Karli and Aidan Bahner, and Caitlin and Shamus Waltos. Jim was predeceased by his daughter, Jill Anastasi. He travelled extensively throughout South East Asia and Australasian areas as well as the UK and Ireland. Unfortunately Mike had been ill for a long time, but even so he could always be relied upon to provide a funny story and to act in a jocular manner. He will be sorely missed by his family and his colleagues in our industry. IWMA

James J Anastasi

James J Anastasi, 66, of Windham, USA, beloved husband of Sharon (Moore) Anastasi, died Tuesday, 28 th April 2009 at home, surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Jim was born in Medford, MA and was a graduate of Lowell Technical Institute. He worked as an electrical engineer in the wire and cable industry for over forty years.

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EuroWire – July 2009