Lawrence Wilson Murray

Larry (Laurence Wilson) Murray - Larry left us on Sunday July 28, 2013 in Osoyoos, British Columbia, at the age of 88. Born in Vancouver on October 22, 1924, Larry grew up in White Rock, BC on Sunnyside Road. At age 17 he joined the RCAF Swordfish Squadron 415 and served with Bomber Command, stationed in York, England, serving as F/O and rear gunner on a Halifax bomber. He lost his entire crew on 6 January 1945 when they collided with an RAF Halifax over Germany on a night campaign. He married Pam Brockhurst in April 1948 and together they raised Bruce and Janis in Vancouver and on the Sunshine Coast. They celebrated their 65th anniversary this year. After the war, Larry worked as a parts clerk for two car dealerships, then learned stationary (steam) engineering and worked for a number of companies, finally as Chief Engineer for four major buildings in downtown Vancouver before being forced in to retirement in 1985 after a quintuple heart bypass. Larry spent his retirement years doing what he loved most – cycling, gardening, dancing at the Legion, traveling and enjoying his grandchildren. In 2008 Larry and Pam moved to Osoyoos to live with their daughter Janis and son-in-law Marcel. He is predeceased by his parents John and Anne and his brother Bill. He is survived by his wife Pam, brother Jack and sister Eleanor, son Bruce, daughter Janis, son-in-law Marcel, daughter-in-law Beril, grandchildren Adrian, Ryan, Shanan, Tammy, Marcella, Ken and Karen, great grandsons Liam and Nate. A Memorial Service will be held at Crescent Beach Royal Canadian Legion #240, 2643 – 128th Street (Ocean Park area), Surrey B.C. on Saturday, August 10, 2013 at 11 o’clock. Interment will be held at Sunnyside Lawn Cemetery on Friday, August 9, 2013. No flowers by request. Donations to the Alzheimer’s Society of British Columbia, South Okanagan/Similkameen, 104-35 Westminster Avenue East, Penticton, B.C. V2A 1H7 or the Canadian Heart & Stroke Foundation, 4-1551 Sutherland Avenue, Kelowna, B.C. V1Y 9M9 would be appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to: Graham Funeral Home, 5950 Kootenay Street, Oliver, B.C. (250) 498-3833. Your message of condolence, sharing your fond memories of Larry may be sent to: www.grahamfh.com.