Murray Town

at the Peter D. Clark Long Term Care Home. Murray was predeceased by his parents Thomas

(Buster) and Lillian (Stothard) Town of Brandon, Manitoba. Murray is survived by his children

Mark (Esther), Jean Paul (Linda), Michelle (Everett) and his step-son Jeremy; his grand-children

Ashley, Jason, Gus, Emily, Erik and Britannie; siblings Marlene (Andre) Brichon, Cam (Colleen)

Town, Sherry (Joe) Moskven, and a whole bunch of loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

Murray spent many of his younger days enjoying Clear Lake in Riding Mountain National Park,

MB. He got up to the lake every chance he could and one of his jobs was setting pins in the

bowling alley there. There was a roller rink in the town and Murray was a regular - perfecting his

moves and impressing the girls. Among other ways he earned money was playing his accordion

at the Jamboree Hall on Friday nights.

Murray was athletic throughout his life. As a young man, he played basketball and studied and

taught martial arts – a passion which he shared with his sons. He also curled and was reputed

to be a good skip. In later years, he would rollerblade along the Rideau Canal in the summer,

ski in the winter and dance (and dance!).

After completing his university degree from St. Patrick’s (Carleton University) in Economics and

Political Science, Murray worked most of his career with CMHC, liaising between government

funding of on-reserve housing projects and Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. The

opportunities Murray’s career afforded him for travel, learning French and exposure to

Indigenous culture greatly enriched Murray’s life.

Murray was an avid reader and story-teller. He read aloud to his children The Hobbit, The Lord

of the Rings, Tarzan, Huckleberry Finn, Tom Sawyer and other classics. A pool player and

motorcyclist, he also passed along these passions to his children. Murray was a true “bon

vivant”. Whether camping, cottaging, on-the-road or at home, he enjoyed fine wine, freshly

ground coffee, chocolate in all forms and companionship ;). He loved to cook for his family and

guests, which made for good company and good conversation. He joined the Opimian Society

(wine-tasting); he danced like no one was watching… then thankfully took lessons at a dance

studio, eventually teaching ballroom dance. Murray shared his zest for life with everyone he

cared for.

A celebration of Murray’s life is being planned for friends and family. If you are interested in

attending, please email [email protected] and we will update you with details for this

event. A private gathering for family to celebrate Murray’s life is being planned in Murray’s home

town of Brandon, Manitoba in Summer 2020.

Two organizations that were of great assistance to Murray were the Adult Dementia Day

Program at Abbotsford House and Meals On Wheels. In lieu of flowers, please consider

donating to these organizations.

Abbotsford House:

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/glebe-centre-inc/

Friends and Family can select Community Programs at Abbotsford House – and in the ‘Notes’

indicate “Day Away Program”. For those who would prefer to send a cheque, they should be made out to The Glebe Centre and included in the memo line – Day Away Program.

Meals on Wheels / La Popote roulante:

https://www.mealsonwheels-ottawa.org/donate/make-a-donation/

You lived your life on your terms, and we’re so much better for having known you. Also, if we

(your children) hadn’t known you, I think that would have technically made us “bastards”. Until

we meet again… dearly missed, forever cherished.