Name: Giffen-Mack Funeral Home & Cremation Centre
Address: Toronto, ON

On the first anniversary of his passing, may his memory be Eternal.

As a young administrator I attended before Master Ferron on many occasions. He always treated me fairly and with curtesy and respect, even when I may not have know what I was doing.   I always appreciated that and learned a great deal from my experience. 

My condolences to the family.

My deepest condolences to Joanne and family.  I have so many fond memories of my years as Murray’s secretary.  From my time at Harries, Houser to the move to his Bay Street sole practice, I learned so much and we became such good friends.  The family attended our wedding and in fact Murray toasted the Bride.  We kept in touch until just the last few years.  He will be greatly missed .

Rest In Peace,
Lynne West

Just heard of your husband's passing and am so sorry for your loss. I did not know your husband well, but do have many happy memories with you at church playing in our Handbell Choir. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. 

Master J. Murray Ferron, a gentleman, a scholar, a fair and patient judicial officer.
Remember, O Lord our God, this Your servant, our brother, and learned Registrar in Bankruptcy, Master J. Murray Ferron, QC, who now stands before You in faith and hope of eternal life.
Release him from all his sins. Pardon, loose, and free him from all transgressions, voluntary and involuntary.
Grant him to enjoy and to share in Your eternal happiness which You have prepared for all who love You.
Be merciful, Lord, to Your servant. Look rather upon his faith than his works, and grant him rest with all Your Saints.
To the soul of Your servant, Master J. Murray Ferron, who has fallen asleep, grant rest in a place of light, a place of verdure, and a place of tranquility.
Sincere condolences to Master Ferron's wife, their children and grandchildren.
May his memory be Eternal.
Chee-Kong Leong and Bohdanna Kovalskyj
Toronto

Murray Ferron was a true gentleman.

He treated all with kindness, including a young woman swimming (drowning?) in the new and foreign waters of the insolvency field.

His interests were expansive: lunch with him, a conversational delight.  I also met him and his wife, Joanne, on occasion  at the Stratford Festival. His warmth and willingness to share marked him as a special human being.

He will be missed and remembered by many.

Our regards and hello to the whole family, big hugs to Joanne!

I have read the memories that have been submitted for Murray. Being a fellow Master I feel that I am entitled to refer to my friend as Murray rather than Master Ferron. I concur with what has been said about him. He was a fine man - very well respected. He and I had a very close relationship when we were both members of the Masters Court. He and I were almost like kindred spirits - we both liked art - we both liked music - we both liked gardening just to mention a few of our common interests.  My sincere sympathy and condolences to his family.

Sincere condolences to his wife, Murray Ferron Junior, an Official Receiver at the OSB, and their extended family.
Master Ferron was the Best Registrar, learned, cool and calm as well as very patient.
For my own files as well as many files which I did as a per diem "wind up trustee" at taxation and discharge hearings, I enjoyed appearing before Master Ferron.  Before I received my Trustee licence, my mentor at Touche Ross usually take me along to the Court House at 145 Queen Street West.
There was an occasion where a solicitor appearing for a municipality was appealing a Trustee's decision.  I asked for permission to speak although I was not a party on the matter. I indicated to Master Ferron, that I recall a very similar matter was dealt with in the the book, Crown Priority in Insolvency by Anne Hardy, and indicated to Master Ferron that when I am back at my office, I will photocopy and fax the relevant pages to him. 
During one of the taxation for a very big file which I wound up for a Bay Street Trustee, he surprised me by granting my request that interest (high interest rates in the 1990's) accrued since the date of the SRD be paid to the Trustee.
Master Ferron and I had lunch on several occasions, and he almost always ordered lox on a bagel. He said that he never has lunch with any of the younger professionals, like me (young then, in the early 1990's).
Master Ferron and his lovely wife were at Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church and the reception when my wife and I got married.
After his retirement, I visited him at his home during Beaujolais Nouveau week, on several occasions.
Murray Ferron Jr. and I were planning to visit him in Dec 2019, but unfortunately did not, due to COVID,  In Dec 2020, Murray Jr. read my Christmas card and letter to him.
May his memory be Eternal.
Chee-Kong  Leong

My condolences on the passing of a true gentleman and a knowledgeable and fair person.  Everyone who appeared before him in Court was treated with utmost respect and knew that they were going to get a fair hearing.  May his memory be for a blessing.

Murray to everyone in the insolvency field was known as the Registrar as if there were none other or would ever be. He certainly stood up to this namesake. When I entered the Bankruptcy industry 35 years ago he was the Registrar. Throughout the years we were in court together he was always a gentleman. He was stern when necessary but inviting to all the professionals keeping his cool. I want to give my deepest condolences to the entire family

Jay Harris

I appeared before Master Ferron on a number of taxations and other insolvency-related hearings.  His review of presented materials always was thorough with any of his queries being relevant.  His decisions on contested matters were well thought-out and precise and, at least in my experience, were not appealed.  I always was amazed that, in most instances, his decision was rendered prior to the end of the related hearing.  His occasional humorous comments, with reference to submitted materials, added to the pleasantries of appearing before him.  I offer my condolences to his family.

Master Ferron was a very thoughtful and lovely person and he will be sorely missed, not only by his family, but by everyone who had the privilege to know him. I have so many wonderful memories of Master Ferron, he was such an extraordinary man.  My deepest heartfelt condolences.

My deepest condolences to the entire Ferron family. Master Ferron was not only a respected and highly knowledgeable member of the judiciary, he was also a consummate educator and a gentleman.  He taught many of us to be better lawyers and insolvency practitioners. His guidance, understanding and gentle manner was always apparent and has been missed since his retirement. May his memory be for a blessing.

Philip Gennis


I started in the bankruptcy business just after Murray had become the Registrar for the Toronto Bankruptcy Court and had the pleasure of working with him somewhat closely on a few different things during the 1980s while I was with the OSB. We became friends, so my experience of Murray both as the Registrar and as a person is of the highest order. But, I wasn't the only one. Everyone you'd meet had the highest regard for him, even when his decisions went against them. But there was one incident which, to me, proved his stature within the Canadian, not just Ontario, bankruptcy community.

In the late 1980s, the OSB held a national conference of its people to which various others, including every Registrar in Canada, had been invited. Naturally Murray attended. However, by the time he arrived at the opening general session the other 250 or 300 people were already seated in this large hall. He came in and proceeded towards the front of the room. Almost immediately everything started to get quite, the conversational hubbub fading as he walked through. People verbally nudged each other with "That's Murray Ferron!" "That's Registrar Ferron!" You could have heard a pin drop by the time he'd reached the front. THE Registrar had arrived.  

Jan and I extended our heartfelt condolences to Murray's family.

I have Master  Ferron's attendances indelibly etched in my mind from appearances  before " the Master" ,in the late 70's and early 80's .I felt as if I were being addressed by a Sergeant Major who could easily put fear into any young inexperienced Trustee. 
Master  Ferron had great wit and enjoyed catching us unprepared for his surprised unexpected line of questioning .He saw it as our learning experienced and that it was .
He was erudite in his reasoning in matters brought before him with a keen well reasoned decision.
We miss him and those times greatly.

As so many Insolvency professionals I remember in 1990 appearing before Master Ferron on my first taxation. Not being qualified at the time he quietly and kindly asked questions to not only clarify some points but as I later realized to provide me with practical advise so that I was able to assist him in future Court appearances. I had the privilege to be in his court room on the last day of his scheduling hearings just prior to his retirement and he as he always did Master Ferron had some encouraging words to me to assist myself as an on going Insolvency practioner and professional. I extend my condolences to his family on his passing. 

My dear Joanne --  I was so sorry to learn of dear Murray's passing.  I have very fond memories of when we were all young, getting engaged and married, and having our children.  I wish to extend to you and all your family my heartfelt condolences in your loss.   I know Murray will always be remembered with great fondness and admiration by his family, friends and colleagues.  Sincerely, Mary (Foster) Mateljan.

As a young Trustee in Bankruptcy, I first attended before Master Ferron in the late 1970s. I learned to respect him immensely; not just for his knowledge of the Law, but also for the honest and forthright person he was. I appeared before him many times, usually for taxations.  But on more than one occasion I sought guidance in difficult insolvency situations, and he  provided thoughtful advice which helped me find the right solution. 
I was very appreciative of the care Murray took in dealing with the Trustee community before him, and was privileged to host Murray`s retirement reception at the Ontario Club. I am proud to have considered Murray a friend.  

I never had the pleasure of meeting Master Ferron; I did, however, have the pleasure of reading many of his decisions.  First, in law school (which wasn't yesterday but still resonate for their lyricism, intelligence, fairness, and sensibility).  Later and to the present, as Registrar in Nova Scotia.  It is trite but true that if we have a clear view from time to time, it is because we stand on the shoulders of giants.

There are those in every profession who are larger than life.  And in this instance, the only appropriate remedy is an absolute discharge.

Sincere condolences to the Family of Master J. Murray Ferron, QC, the former (retired) Registrar in Bankruptcy of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
Remember, O Lord, our God, this Your servant, our learned and patient Registrar, and brother, J. Murray Ferron, who now stands before You in faith and hope of eternal life. Release him from sins. Destroy all iniquity. Pardon, loose and free him from all transgressions, voluntary and involuntary.  Grant him to enjoy and share in Your eternal happiness which You have prepared for all who love You.
Be merciful, Lord, to Your servant, J. Murray Ferron. Look rather upon his faith than his works, and grant him rest with all Your saints, where there is neither sickness nor sorrow, but life everlasting.
Sincerely,
Chee-Kong Leong, CA, CPA, Licensed Insolvency Trustee
Toronto, Ontario


I am very sorry to hear of Murray's passing.   He was the Registrar in Bankruptcy from the beginning of my practice as a bankruptcy lawyer in 1986.  As a "newby", I found him intimidating at first, especially because of the respect that he had earned from the bankruptcy profession.  I got to know him better over the years, and I believe that I eventually earned his respect as well.  He was always friendly.  I certainly respected him:  his decisions were invariably fair, well-considered, and, from my eyes, correct.  I cannot even remember a single "stinker" decision, which is extremely rare for a judicial officer.  His decisions continue to be cited in current case law, and will continue to be cited for many years.  He was a fine man who left a fine mark.  I wish he were still with us.

Master Ferron was a gentleman and a gentle man both on and off the bench. 
It was always a pleasure (most times) to appear in front of Murray.
He held the total respect of all that attended before him. 
I also remember a sharp wit that snuck through on appropriate moments. 
Remembered fondly. 


My sincere condolences to the Ferron family. 

I was a young professional I first met Master Ferron at the old court house. I was nervous and sweeting and he knew it. With his kind and soft words he made me feel comfortable in order that we can proceed. Every time I met him I learned something. I will never forget him. 

OBITUARY

Honourable John Murray Ferron, QC

12 January, 1927 – 16 February, 2021

Giffen-Mack and Trull Funeral Home

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