Murray Mur Oren Thorner

Murray came into the world on October 27, 1925 in Sarnia, Ontario. He grew up on Shepherd Street. He was the son of Noreen and Roger Thorner. They were devoted to their Baptist Church and loved to gather together with friends to play cards.  He was raised with one twin sister Monica.

       Murray's grandparents were the Reids and the Thorners. He had memories of visiting the farm of the Reids in Parkhill, Ontario. Murray was close to other relatives as well. His extended family included Aunt Muriel and Uncle Jack, cousins Don Thorner and Stuart Westgate. They enjoyed getting together to hang out and play sports.

        As a child, he played football, baseball and golf. He devoted alot of time to his dog Jerry and loved riding his bicycle. He enjoyed playing a variety of board and card games. Childhood vacations included gathering with aunts, uncles and cousins at beach locations.

       His childhood friends included Bob Fisher and Stan Campbell.

       He graduated from Sarnia High School in 1945. He enjoyed playing football in high school and was an usher at a local theater.

       Murray had some very close friends throughout high school, including Stan Campbell. They spent endless hours kicking a football around and playing golf with old clubs at a cheap golf course. When Murray and his friends got together, they would hang out at local teen gathering places.

       Murray enlisted and spent approximately one year in the military at the end of the war.

         During his college years he lived with his parents in Sarnia, Ontario. He managed to do a little traveling during those breaks in classes around Ontario and the United States.

     Murray's first wife was Shirley Richardson who passed away in 1979. Together they had two children, Paul and Richard.

Audrey May Morgan was his second wife. They met at a singles group at Trinity Memorial Church in Toronto. Their first date was dinner at a nice restaurant. Audrey and Murray exchanged vows on July 4, 1981 at York Pines United Church, Kettleby, Ontario with about 50 friends and family in attendance. Murray became stepfather to Audrey's four children, Laurie, David, Robert and Jennifer. Laurie was the bridesmaid and Richard was the best man. The service was performed by Reverend Ruth Roussom and the reception was at Audrey's country home in Kettleby, Ontario. It rained cats and dogs all day. Following the ceremony, Audrey and Murray spent four weeks in Europe. Their first residence was Lochwood Farm in Kettleby, Ontario.

             In addition to being each other’s best friend, Murray and Audrey were friends with Mary and Gord Mansell, Pauline and Doug Morris, Jackie and Doug Catto. They shared a variety of activities including dinners, theater and golf. They had two dogs, Ponch and Jody. Murray used to sit up with Ponch who was frightened of thunder storms.

      There were lots of family gatherings usually involving great food as well as traveling including trips throughout Canada, the United States and Mexico. Later on in life, he was also blessed with six grandchildren, Grant, Scott, Serana, Nadia, Michael and Christofer.

      Murray's whole career was spent in various Management positions at Imperial Oil. While he worked at several jobs over his lifetime, his primary occupation was working as an accountant. Probably the most unique or interesting job Murray ever held was working in Egypt for a year. During his career he became friends with Joe Harper and John Parr.

            Some of Murray's hobbies included Carpentry (he built a 3 car garage), wine making,bridge, skiing, dancing, golfing and curling. Murray loved summer and his favorite cities were London, England and New York. When it came to cuisine, he particularly enjoyed pasta. When he would read, Murray's favorite reading materials were suspense novels and local newspapers. A favorite book was The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman. On television, Murray enjoyed 60 Minutes and the business channel. His favorite music was Big Band.

       Murray's favorite sport was golf. He had thirteen golf vacations with a group of ten cousins. He also enjoyed watching hockey, football and golf on television.

           Murray retired in 1986 and spent the first 11 years of his retirement at Lochwood Farm in Ontario and then in 1997 moved to Calgary. He enjoyed curling, golf and bridge.

Murray Thorner left us on April 3, 2011. He passed away Rockyview Hospital, Calgary, Alberta. He was 85 years old. The cause of death was heart failure. He was preceded in death by his first wife Shirley and parents Noreen and Roger Thorner. He is survived by his wife Audrey and six children. Services were handled by Fosters Garden Chapel. Murray was laid to rest at Queens Park Cemetery, Calgary, Alberta.

      Many would say that "commitment" is a word that best describes the life of Murray Oren Thorner. He was committed to living the life of a good man who was both practical and trustworthy. He was committed to the traditional values that he upheld his entire life. He committed himself to being a hard worker who expected the same effort in return from others. Most of all, he was committed to those he knew and loved.

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THORNER, Murray

It is with great sadness that the family of Murray Thorner announces his passing on Sunday, April 3, 2011. He died at the Rockview Hospital in Calgary with family at his side. Murray had been in declining health for eight months. Murray is survived by his wife and best friend of thirty years, Audrey. He leaves four sons, Paul (Paisarn), Richard (Cathy), David (Sophie) and Robert; two daughters, Laurie and Jennifer (Nick). Murray also leaves six beloved grandchildren, Grant, Scott, Serana, Nadia, Michael and Cristofer and a twin sister, Monica Forbes. He was predeceased by his first wife, Shirley. Murray grew up in Sarnia, Ontario and spent his whole career working for Imperial Oil Co. Ltd. He was a kind and gentle man, the “rock” of our family. Murray cheerfully took on the role of step father to four teenage children. They loved him deeply. Murray was always athletic, loved to ski, golf and curl. He enjoyed a game of bridge with Audrey. They travelled extensively. Murray was mainly a family man who loved his children and grandchildren which brought him great joy. A Celebration of Murray’s Life was held at FOSTER’S GARDEN CHAPEL, 3220 – 4 Street N.W., Calgary (across from Queen’s Park Cemetery) on Friday, April 8, 2011 at 3:00p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made directly to Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, 2888 Shaganappi Trail N.W., Calgary, AB T3B 6A8 or a charity of one’s choice. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff of Unit 83 of Rockyview Hospital who were highly competent and compassionate. Murray received outstanding care. We would also like to thank our family doctor and friend, Dr. Teresa Sztukowski who cared for Murray’s medical needs since our move to Calgary in 1997. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family via the website www.fostersgardenchapel.ca.

FOSTER'S GARDEN CHAPEL

FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM

Telephone: 403-297-0888

Honoured Provider of Dignity Memorial