As parents of IEB pupils celebrated their children’s matric result achievements on Thursday, one father was overcome with grief as he went to St Benedict’s College in Bedfordview, Ekurhuleni, to collect the results of his son, Declan Murphy, who died three weeks ago.
Speaking to TimesLIVE Premium, his father Grant Murphy said Declan died after a “freak accident” on Christmas Eve.
He fell off a balcony on the second floor of their accommodation in Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape.
He suffered severe brain injury and though it was declared he had passed away on December 28, he was kept alive until December 30 for an operation.
“We decided to donate his organs. We had the most wonderful 19 years with him. My wife and his brother are also still in pain, we have that emptiness, and we feel he should be with us.
“I can’t even explain. We will always love and miss him,” said Grant.
Declan performed exceptionally well, obtaining five distinctions.
“It was very hard going to collect his certificate and testimonial. We expected good marks from him. He was a great public speaker very confident and had a sense of humour.
“He was very excited to go to Stellenbosch University to study industrial engineering,” said Grant, who added he wished his son was here to see the results.
The school said it was saddened by his passing and remembered him as a great leader.
“We are devastated, and we are trying to honour this young man who was the school chaplain’s altar boy while he was at junior school in grades 4 to 7. He was also a great leader. The boys would come to him with questions, and he would give them advice.
“Faith and religion were very important for Declan. He was also a great academic and obtained five distinctions, in English, geography, maths, physical science and life orientation,” said the school.
College head David Jeffrey also expressed his condolences.
“We again send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the late Declan Murphy. Declan was a bright and promising member of our school community, and his untimely passing in December has left a void in the class of 2023. In honour of his memory, we acknowledge his contributions to our school. Declan was an all-rounder.
“It’s not easy to accept that Declan is no longer with us, but his words will forever live in our hearts: ‘Always remember to pray ... not for easier days, but to be a stronger man,’” said Jeffrey.
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