Obituary of James Murray

James (Jim) Alexander Murray, November 20, 1930 – December 16, 2022, aged 92, in Gananoque, ON.

 

Jim is survived by his beloved and adoring wife Elizabeth (Betty) Murray (Hooper), his son, Scott Murray (Linda Stever) of Lansdowne, ON, daughter Darlene Tobin (Jim), his treasured granddaughters, Paige and Claire of Atlanta, GA, and extended family.  Jim will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Born in Glasgow, to Helen (Steel) and James Murray, Jim left school at 14 to become a fitter’s apprentice before serving two years in Tripoli in the British Army.  These experiences prepared Jim to be able to fix everything from cars to computers throughout his life.  Jim worked as an industrial ventilation expert for over 40 years, retiring from Powlesland Engineering in 1989.

Jim and Betty met and married after only 9 months of courtship in Glasgow on December 22, 1955, and their faces still lit up when they saw each other even after 67 years of marriage.  They emigrated to Canada in 1957 and lived in Scarborough, Montreal, and Markham, moving to the Gananoque area in 2016 to be closer to Scott and Linda.  Jim was a wonderful father to Scott and Darlene and a doting grandfather to his adoring granddaughters, Paige and Claire, who returned their Grandpa’s unconditional love with equal measure.

Jim was a lifetime learner, an avid reader, and a passionate Glasgow Rangers fan, serving as the president of their fan club at the Markham Veteran’s Club where he was an active member for over 40 years, proudly marching in the Remembrance Day Parade every year.  Jim will be remembered for his quick wit, sweet tooth, and deep sense of duty to his family, his friends and his adopted country.

The Murray/Tobin family would like to express their deepest appreciation to the exceptional staff at Fox Run Retirement Home in Gananoque, ON.  We are grateful beyond measure for their patience, kindness, and compassion for Jim the past three years.

A celebration of Jim’s remarkable life will be held in Markham, his home of 46 years, at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, please donate or volunteer your time to a cause that is important to you, and spend quality time with your loved ones this holiday season.  Family is what was most important to Jim and this would be the best way to honour his memory.