Predeceased by his brother Bruce.
Murray was surrounded by loved ones for his gentle passing on June 28, after a recurrence of a rare form of cancer.
Murray was born in Kerrisdale to Frank and Margaret. He grew up there and in West Vancouver where he first got to know and respect nature by walking every old logging road and trail on Hollyburn Mountain. A lifelong passion for travel started at an early age, greatly inspired by his Aunt Dorothy Colly.
In 1965 Murray took his first flight with Ken (still a friend after 60 years) to Britain and travelled from Stonehenge to Orkney. Murray graduated from UBC with a B. Comm. in 1966 and became a C.A. with Clarkson Gordon. At that time, he and a good friend canoed in the wilderness travelling the Parsnip, Peace and Canoe rivers before dams ruined those pristine valleys.
In 1973 Murray moved to P.E.I. where he lived on a farm and worked for the Island Treasury Board as director of the expenditure budget. He loved the job and his co-workers. He returned to B.C. in 1976 and managed a Victoria law firm. In 1980, Murray spent four months at an isolated cabin in the Chilcotin accessible only by canoe. He looked back with great joy on that experience.
Murray then joined Treasury Board Staff and was involved with tax policy, expenditure policies and drafting major financial legislation. He greatly admired the dedication and professionalism of his colleagues in what he felt could not be a better job.
In 1988 Murray began a series of trips that would nurture the relationships with his nephews and niece. Machu Picchu with Brent; Scotland and Ireland with Suzanne; pony trekking in Iceland with Kevin; Australia with Jonathan; the Greek Islands with Tristan; and Easter Island with Robert. This extended to the next generation with the great nephews and nieces.
In 1995 Debbie Sinclair came into Murray’s life. It was the beginning of a beautiful 30-year relationship in which they travelled, cheered on their favourite teams, filled their home with hygge and created a backyard oasis.
Murray’s stepchildren Alyson Jackson (Matt) and Ryan Day (Vanessa) and his grandchildren, Alexander and Lauren, also played a special role in enriching his life. Highlights of annual Hornby vacations, playing with Pa Murray in the pool and family dinners outdoors will be cherished memories.
Murray and Debbie’s most adventurous travels include L’Anse Aux Meadows, ‘Ben-My-Chree’, an old homestead at the foot of Tagish Lake and trips exploring the B.C. coast on the “Chelsea II” with Captain Nils including a trip to Knight Inlet. They also travelled with longtime friends Bill and Shelley from French Polynesia to Pitcairn Island by research vessel where they met several of the islanders.
Murray cherished trips as a child and then as an adult with his cousins Julie and Jeanne. Special times in Ireland with friends Chris and Aideen and family were uplifting. Each trip Murray went on was a chance to share experiences and spend quality time.
Murray loved sharing political and world views with former colleagues and classmates who he kept in touch with.
Murray was a gem; kind-hearted, gentle, adventurous, generous, inquisitive and deeply appreciative of the natural world. He found beauty wherever possible, making it a huge priority while also being highly attuned to the people and world around him. His stories of travel and adventure were inspiring. He had a beautiful way of bringing places to life with his words.
He approached his illness with courage and dignity and was interested in the people he met and their stories.
His family will be going to Haida Gwaii to honour him by carrying on the adventures. He will be missed by so many.
No service by request.
“Love, love goes on
Like the sea
Love goes on eternally”
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
This obituary is the property of the “Crowther” family and may not be reproduced, distributed, or altered in any way without prior written consent.
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Linda Hill
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Julie Most of my memories of Murray where from when we were very young. I have no siblings and neither does my cousin Jeanne and so the cousins Murray, Bruce, Jeanne and myself spent a lot of time together during the summers when we were young. I lived in Manitoba and Ontario but as soon as school ended my Mother and I headed to Vancouver to spend time with family. There were many trips to beaches, especially Spanish Banks and other beach holidays. A lot of time was spent playing monopoly and kick the can at our Grandfathers. Murray has always been a steady positive part of my life. I will miss him a lot.
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Stina Murray was an incredibly special soul. I had the privilege of spending many unforgettable hyggelig times with him and Debbie over the years. He truly appreciated the little things and made the most out of every single day – never missing an opportunity to wonder at the world’s gifts. I had the chance to witness his awe and genuine curiosity on several memorable trips including a magical island adventure on Eleuthera, biking the Kettle Valley railway, swimming in the clear waters on Hornby and exploring our coastal wonders on the Chelsea.
I will continue to instill the same passion and spirit Murray had for travel and for the world itself in my life and the lives of my children.
Debbie and Murray’s bond and love for each other was steady, strong and beautiful. I am very fortunate to know you both.
My love and condolences to the entire family. ❤️
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Michael Butler I got to know Murray over four decades ago, as we both worked in the same or related policy branches of the BC Ministry of Finance. He became one of my best friends in the Ministry. I found him to be a person of great ability and integrity. And just a nice person to be around, always pleased to have a conversation – whether the topic was serious or just fun. We retired on the same day in 2003 and Murray suggested that we meet every three weeks for lunch and a discussion – usually centred on current political events or the events related to our life in retirement. I learned that he was one of the best uncles I have ever come across, with his many trips taken with his nephews and his niece. We kept up these meetings, which in recent years were held via Zoom and included other Ministry of Finance friends, right up until recently when he became too ill to take part. I will miss him greatly.
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Deb Meyers What sad, sad news. My heart goes out to you Debbie. I can honestly say that Murray had a huge influence on my life, my outlook and the paths I took in life. His passion for truth, adventure and nature, with a practical down-to-earth edge is a quality rarely found these days.
My thoughts are with you and your family Deb
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Chris Lawless I worked for Murray in Treasury Board Staff at the Ministry of Finance for a couple years in the early 1980s. I was a pretty green recruit from Ottawa but Murray was generous with his time and taught me a lot about taxation, accounting, the ways of bureaucracy, and BC and its politics. Thanks, Murray, for your lessons, advice, generosity and lots of laughs back in the day.
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Chris Cullen Aideen and I were so fortunate to become friends with Murray shortly after arriving in Vancouver in 1972.That friendship was a huge thing in our lives since then and with Debbie in more recent years.
Our meetings in Canada and Ireland were memorable but all too infrequent.Murray always found beautiful venues for these trips and he and Debbie were wonderful hosts.
Murray was generous, kind hearted and always interesting-and interested.He was a hero to all our children and we all send our love and sympathy to Debbie and family.
No one could have a better friend,
Chris & Aideen Cullen
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Owen Toop I knew Murray from Treasury Board Staff. He ws a dedicated and wise public servant, but foremost, always the happy camper. I am sorry to hear of his passing, but am pleased that he left such a positive impression on so many people.
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Diana Butler What a wonderful, thoughtful and kind person Murray was. I got to know him through my husband, with whom he worked and shared so many of those political discussions mentioned in his obit. And what a wonderful obit it was reflecting Murray’character and achievements so well. I will treasure his memory.
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jennifer armstrong Murray & Debbie were our favourite neighbours, when each year they rented the home next door to us on Hornby Island. Murray brought with him his deep love, appreciation & joy for the beauty & wonder of life wrapped in & around little trib. i will miss how he tracked the weather each day, to compare year to year, how he’d always let us know the water temperature each morning – & how it was always great no matter the temps! – his annual creation of their outdoor shower & the shower bags warming on the deck, his interest in our lives, all the adventures of our daughter, & island politics & happenings.
Murray loved Hornby & we cherished having him & Debbie right next door for those few weeks each June. I will never forget cards with Muzz, Murray’s full hearted laughter & gentle way of being in the world, his absolute delight at the gifts of the natural world, both big & small. I was inspired by the deep love & appreciation he & Debbie had for one another, hearing about their travels from the past year & travel plans for the year ahead, & Murray’s overall zest & joy for life & all it had to offer.
I hold Murray’s last visit to Hornby this June fully in heart & mind, & am ever so grateful for our last shared evening on the deck, overlooking the beach & bay, sharing stories & times that had deeply touched us. I miss him dearly already.
To Debbie & family, & to Murray’s nephews & nieces & families, my heart goes out to you. Wishing you heaps of love, strength, courage & moments of peaceful ease during this time of transition & letting go. & so much love & light to dear Murray, on his journey.
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Peter I got to know Murray through working on his house, always starting with a waiting brew of coffee on arrival and happy hour at the end of the day when we would talk about the project in hand & life as we saw it. He once said it’s the journey that matters!
He would treat me to the Penny Farthing for lunch on my birthday and Christmas every year for decades. We became true friends a very generous loving man who I shall miss so much ❤️
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Bill Bell Murray, over some 40 years was a very special friend to me. Shelley and I experienced some wonderful and memorable trips with him and Debbie that included French Polynesia (and the islands of Mangareva, Pitcairn, Raivavae and Tahiti) ,the Greek Islands and the Bahamas.
After retiring together at the same time, he and I went Cuba to celebrate. Up until then, and over many years we both enjoyed a special tennis rivalry. True to form, Murray kept the statistics that amazingly showed we were tied in games and sets!
Murray was a world explorer at heart and was so good at sharing and recounting his journeys in detail, including new discoveries and knowledge.
Murray held a very special love for railways and I was delighted at some point to introduce him to and visit Barrie Sanford the famous railway historian who happened to be a Board colleague with me. Murray was enthralled !
Murray truly made life so interesting and was an inspiration to others.
He leaves a big void in our lives and will be dearly missed but never forgotten. We are so grateful to have had his friendship.Shelley and I send our heartfelt condolences to Debbie and family .
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Sherry Ridout Debbie,
So sorry to see this. We lost touch years ago but I often thought about you and wondered how life had unfolded for you. Sounds like you found a gentle, loving partner to journey with … I’m sorry for your & the familys’ loss. So glad Murray’s passing was gentle and I hope that you have a caring support team to be by your side as you travel these next steps on your journey. With love and many fond memories, Sherry
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David Woodward Murray was an inspirational mentor to me for many years. His wisdom, and analytical mind were respected by everyone he worked with, and his sense of humour knew no bounds. Murray truly had the courage to speak truth to power, even when he knew the truth might not be well received. We lost touch after Murray retired, however, I have often had occasion to think of him and the years we worked together. Happy travel Murray; and deepest condolences to your family.
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Erin One of my most vivid memories traveling was going up the gondola in Santorini to see Murray and Aunty Debi’s smiling faces waiting for us at the top! It was my first time to Greece and it was so cool to see two familiar faces in this totally exotic setting! I also remember all the tips he gave Alyson and I for our next trip there and all the beautiful places we stayed! I also remember our very cool trip to Italy with Murray, Debi and Alyson and sitting watching the sunsets and drinking wonderful wine. We explored Greek ruins in Italy, ate great pizza and tasted Greco de Tufu ( I think that’s how it’s spelled), a wine I still love today! Al and I were lucky to be exposed to Murray’s amazing passion for travel and love for life!
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Christina Craft I’ve been thinking about how I first met Murray — just that quick moment at your (Debbie)’s Western grad when my car battery died and he jumped it for me. I remember thinking he seemed like an awesome guy at the time…Funny that was all before I really knew him, and then not long after we’re all traveling around Costa Rica together. That trip was such a blast, exploring the Caribbean coast and Manuel Antonio — it’s where I really got to see how curious, interesting, and fun Murray was. He just had this easy way about him, and of course that great laugh.
Over the last 13 years I’ve loved getting to know him more — hanging out in the beautiful sanctuary he created in your backyard, and spending time together on Hornby. I still remember when I introduced Derek to you two, and afterward he said it felt like he’d known you both forever. Murray was that kind of guy. I’ll miss him so much. Sending you all my love.
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Jeanne and Dale From the time we were toddlers, Murray was truly like my older brother. The memories spent playing cards, board games (especially Scrabble) and attending Canuck games in the early 60’s were wonderful. Dale and I spent amazing holiday times with Debbie and Murray in the Greek Islands, on our train trip and in Nova Scotia. We shared so much laughter being together in Oak Bay. Dale and I will so miss him being part of our lives.
What a fantastic evening of visiting with Murray, Debbie and their many friends via his rich and full obituary and so many stories. Travel! Hygge! Family! Nature! Hornby! Measuring the changes that go with the seasons! Debbie – this is wonderful to reconnect at this time in our lives when we can spend hours and hours reminiscing about your 30 years with Murray and my 40 years with John and looking at many photos. I’m so very glad you have been so very lucky in love. I’m so very glad I did get to spend one evening getting to know Murray and witness his deep love for you.
Love Linda Hill