Mr Murphy and his family went through an emotional rollercoaster in the six weeks before his death, a close family friend told The Canberra Times, with an initial diagnosis of inoperable bile duct cancer, then news that an operation was possible, and last week, the operation-which was judged a success.

Mr Murphy had been moved from intensive care at the Royal Prince Alfred hospital in Sydney, but died from a heart attack last Thursday.

Canberra lawyer Michael Phelps has known Mr Murphy for 25 years, as a close family friend and business partner.

Two years ago Mr Phelps and Mr Murphy bought a vineyard together in the Clare Valley.

Mr Murphy’s family-wife Margaret and sons Adrien (AJ) and Damien-asked him to speak to the media in their place yesterday.

Mr Phelps said he had spoken with Mr Murphy soon after his cancer diagnosis six weeks ago, when it was believed inoperable, and while Mr Murphy accepted the diagnosis with “no anger, no sense of why me”, he told Mr Phelps he was “emotionally gutted”.

When scans suggested an operation was possible, the family was realistic about the risks, but very hopeful.

He lost 22kg in preparation for surgery, and even went to the Raiders home game last Friday, before leaving for Sydney on Monday for his operation on Tuesday.

“There was a lot of optimism associated with the operation-when he heard it was operable, it was a great encouragement to him,” Mr Phelps said.

The difficult operation took four to five hours, and afterwards, the surgeon said it could not have gone better, confident he had removed all the tumour from Mr Murphy’s bile duct and liver, Mr Phelps said.

The family was waiting on pathology results when Mr Murphy had a heart attack.

Mr Murphy was a Catholic and a regular church goer and Mr Phelps said that his faith had helped him.

He also described Mr Murphy as a compassionate man, with great generosity of spirit, time and resources, involved not only in the business community but also in charities such as Open Family.

He was “a great giver and never expected anything in return but loyalty,” Mr Phelps said.

“He’s an iconic figure in the wine industry, not just locally but nationally, and the people he knows in the industry are saddened by his sudden loss.

He was held in enormous esteem,” he said, pointing to Mr Murphy’s friendships with lions of the wine industry, including Wolf Blass, John Glaetzer, David O’Leary and Max Schubert (maker of Grange, who died in 1994).

Mr Murphy was one of the largest independent wine merchants in the country, standing between the corporate giants of Woolworths and Coles, and as such, he was a tough businessman.

Mr Phelps described him as a tough, fair and strong negotiator, and very astute in business.

The possibility of a state funeral was raised last Friday after Ms Gallagher told the ABC she had noted suggestions for such a service.

The ACT Opposition Leader Zed Seselja said recognition through state funeral or the naming of a street would be reasonable actions for the Government to take.

Friend and fellow Raiders and Calvary Hospital board member John Mackay said a state funeral would be a wonderful tribute.

His funeral will be held at St Christopher’s Cathedral in Manuka on Monday, June 6 commencing at 1:30pm.

-The Canberra Times.