Murray died peacefully at home with his music playing and Lilian, his wife of seventy years, holding his hand. We, his family, mourn our loss and give thanks for being part of his life.
He was born and grew up in Sarnia, Ontario. He was very sports-minded, playing softball and tennis in the summer. In the winter, it was basketball and hockey. As an annual event, he and his lifelong friends helped his Dad build a neighbourhood outdoor hockey rink. Sports became secondary when at fifteen, he decided it was time to crack the books and improve his school work.
He graduated in Physical Chemistry from the University of Western Ontario and the University of Toronto and finished his studies at Laval University, Quebec City, after his war service.
He joined the RCNVR and served in the UK and Far East as radar officer on HMS Trafalgar. The war over, he left the ship in Australia and made his way back to Canada, not by the Pacific but via the UK, so he could marry his British Wren, which he did.
Back in the work force, he joined the Pioneering Division of E.I. DuPont, Wilmington, Delaware and later returned to Canada to work at the new DuPont of Canada Research Centre, Kingston, Ontario. He held various positions including Research Manager and was honoured to be made the company’s Research Fellow.
On retirement, Murray and Lilian moved West and the family followed. They had the joy of watching their grandchildren grow and develop. Da always had time to fly a kite, throw a frisbee, collect algae samples to be analyzed, and play tennis. We will all miss his quirky sense of humour.
Murray was predeceased by his parents, Mildred and Fred Glenroy Phibbs, his dear son-in-law, John L. Finlay and grandson, Evan Finlay. He leaves his wife, Lilian, and Les girls, Karen Anne Finlay and her daughter, Elspeth; Candace Howey and her husband, Colin, and their family; and Christine Phibbs and the A. Team.
We thank Yolanda and Tina; the kind, caring people at the Veterans Health Centre, Broadmead; Besame from Sidney Senior Care; and Rev. Daniel Fournier for his pastoral care…. and, of course, Dr. Rosenberg and his team. Each in their own way helped and brightened Murray’s last days.
The family will gather at a later date – so many precious memories.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall’s Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com
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Gloria Grant FitzPatrick,Stormont Avenue Kingstonn
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roberta ward Dear Lilian,
We are so sorry to hear of Murray’s passing. Our parents so enjoyed your friendship over the years. We are thinking of you and send our love and condolences to you and your family.
Sincerely, Graham and Roberta Ward
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Walter J. Balfour Permit me to recount an act of Murray’s kindness that few can have known about. Back in 1977 I received a surprise letter from DuPont, Kingston regarding some chemical research a student and I had reported. The letter was from Murray who had read our contribution and then carried out calculations which he thought might be of interest. His results proved of sufficient significance that I recommended to him that he publish the findings. In responding he said he was gifting the data to me and that I could do with them what I wished. When I wrote the research for publication I was able to persuade him to join as a co-author and thus I had a publication with a co-author I had never met. Many years later when Murray moved to Victoria he made a point of dropping in to see me at UVic. What a lovely man.
Walter J. Balfour.
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Carolyn Dear Mrs Phibbs,
Gordon and I and Katie and Jonathan wish you deep sympathy and love at this time. You and Murray always seemed so happy with each other and blessed to have been together so many years. We wish you and Christine and your whole family comfort and love in the days ahead.
Much love,
The Bell family
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Laura Kissmann Mrs Phibbs (or Lillian if I may),
I just wanted you to know how much we are thinking of you and all your family at this special time. You and Mr Phibbs seemed to me to exemplify a wonderful loving couple that has no doubt inspired your family, friends and many more like myself. I wish you godspeed in this adjustment and of course we wish your husband an interesting research position and tennis court somewhere up there in heaven. With love, Laura (Barr) Kissmann
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Lewis Mackay Mrs Phibbs,I was very sad to learn of your husband`s passing.I extend my most sincere condolences to you and your family.
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Roy Holloway Lillian and Murray were neighbours in Kingston when Strathcona Park was still in its infancy.
We share many memorable and happy memories from those early days on a street where young families grew and grew and grew,.
It was a fun time of life and although they moved away we still maintained contact over the years and I am grateful for their friendship.
Murray will be missed by all who new him and I extend to Lillian and her family my sincere condolences as Murray moves along on his journey.
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Don and Else Page Lillian, we were so sad to learn of Murray’s passing. We remember meeting and chatting with him and you when we visited your home that fine sunny afternoon. We are sorry for your loss and our thoughts are with you at this sad time. We are happy to have known Murray.
A traditional navy expression comes to mind. As you sail into the future, may you have only fair winds and following seas.
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Joy and Gerry Gabel Lillian and Murray were neighbors of ours for a short time in their later years, but we felt we had known them for much longer. Their kind and caring ways soon became evident in our little cul-de-sac. Always the gentleman, and a ‘gentle man’! He will be missed terribly by his family and Lillian. We send our deepest condolences and know he is sitting in the sunshine in a better place!
Dear Karen and family, My condolences to you all at this special time. I remember your Dad and Mom vividly and our friendship, through school. It is a terrible time when our parents and their friends begin passing away – so sad. Reality sucks at this time. May you have happier days ahead with your family. Gloria