Hugh Murray

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Hugh Murray, on Sunday April 11, 2021, at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital with family by his side. Hugh was born October 1, 1932, in Coronach, Saskatchewan.

Hugh was predeceased by his beloved wife of 60 years, Connie Murray, in October 2015, son Richard Murray, 1999. Hugh’s parents John Murray and Mary Helena Berg, Connie’s parents Albert and Edith Orman. Also passing before him are his siblings Mae Rice, Gordon Murray, Allan Murray and Agnes Senger and brother-in-law John Orman.

He will be lovingly remembered by his siblings Harold Berg, Helen Sayer, Keith (Holly)Berg and Karen Trochimchuk.

His children Heather Murray (Art Labermeyer), Douglas Murray, Hope Green (John), Kathleen Griffith (David), Carol Bjarneson (Don), Jayne Murray, Christina Murray (Richard-deceased), Maureen Jennings (Richard), Mavis Murray (Tom), Ian Murray, Helena Liebermann (William)

Grandchildren Rene Rusaw (Ryan), Michael Laudij, Rachel Gessie-Ladouceur (Kelly), Haylee Murray, Amanda Green (Julian Ware), Kristen Green (Andrew Kosciuw), Meghan Green (Shaun Metzger), Patricia Griffith (Gilles Gaumont), Thomas Griffith, Eric Griffith (Megan), Luke Griffith (Jen), Angelina Bain (Travis), Garnet Bjarneson, Martina Aitken (Jesse), Jonathan Allison, Stephen Allison (Izzy), Keagan Murray, Nathan Murray, Gareth Murray, Ryan Blyth (Rebecca), Adena Blyth, Brittany Eckert (Nolan), Stephanie Shantz (Jay), Samantha Welker (Tyler), Kayla St Germain-Bueckert (Jason), Cody St Germain, Cameron St Germain, Danielle Murray (Dave Baker) Erica Murray (Lucas Nystrom), Hans Liebermann, Freya Liebermann

Great Grandchildren Travis, Tyler, Raine, Ryder, Raina, Leo, Corbin, Makenna, Scarlett, Aiden, Logan, Cameron, Ryder, Alexis, Avelyn, Phoenix, Julie, Colton, Hayden, Vincent, Damien, Dominick, Ella, Cassidy, Austin, Mariah, Gavin, Emmett, Clark, and Barrett.

Special Extended Family, Odette Landry, Cheryl Murray Juhala, Ken St. Germain, Janalee Ridgway, Marilyn, numerous nieces, nephews and treasured friends.

Hugh had a deep love for his family and the many he considered his family. He had a heart of gold and treated everyone with respect. He had a way of making people feel like they were his family when you were with him, he accepted and claimed you. He was always willing to share what he had and help anyone who asked.

Dad was by Mom’s side everyday of her battle with Parkinson Disease, always advocating and supporting her care. Throughout his own illness he faced each challenge with dignity and a strength that could defy understanding. Never admitting pain or indulging in self-pity. His response to all questions was, “I’m fine”.

He graduated from high school at the age of 16 and was teaching in a one room schoolhouse for students from kindergarten to high school at the age of 17. He was a man of amazing intelligence, a qualified Mensa candidate with a passion for learning, reading and absorbing any information or fact he encountered.

Dad passed along his passion for reading and learning to his family, always challenging us to find the answers; he would never give us the solution, he would just say, think about it and figure it out.

He instilled in his children the importance of learning, listening and respecting others and he lived his life by these values. He was a strong believer in personal choice and never judged. He encouraged us to try anything and always made sure the girls knew they could do anything: hunting, fishing, repairs. There were no gender specific roles in our house, we all had to learn.

Dad loved his years playing hockey and then later coaching, refereeing and umping baseball, hockey and ringette. He enjoyed the competition and sharing his love of sports.

Dad was a quiet, extraordinary man, he could fix anything and always had a piece or a part for ‘that’. He was always inventing something.

He had many talents and passions: gardening, beekeeping, photography, canning, reading, card games and chess. Growing up he loved to challenge us with word and math problems, he was a master at cribbage and card games.  He embraced the computer age and learned to use Facebook and its filters, using it to stay connected with family and friends.

In his 20’s Hugh and Connie moved to Northwestern Ontario and made this their home.

He worked at Shop Easy and later went on to start a career in the repair business. He was working for a couple of local companies then took on the challenge and became self-employed. He travelled Northern Ontario repairing diesel plants and machinery. Later he took courses and went on to earn a Gas ticket, Electrician, appliance and air conditioning repair certification. He was a familiar face to many businesses and restaurants.

We give a heartfelt thank you to the doctors, nurses, physiotherapy, countless medical professionals and hospital staff involved in Dad’s care. Thank you for your consummate professionalism and kindness, especially towards the end. Even during these challenging times and through visitor restrictions, hospital staff made sure Dad was never alone for long and took the time to talk and visit with him so that he was not lonely.

Dad, you will be forever loved, missed and remembered. We will miss being able to call you up at any time to access your vast knowledge, however random or obscure, get advice, your opinion and just talk.

It’s always hard to say goodbye and we would never be ready to let you go; you will always have a special place in our hearts. Love you forever and always.