Obituary of Murray Arthur

July 9, 1928 – September 16, 2011 Murray Putnam passed away peacefully on Friday, September 16, 2011 with his family by his side. He was born in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan on July 9, 1928 and moved to Regina at an early age where he received his elementary and high school education. He graduated from the University of Manitoba (B.A.) in 1951 and moved to Calgary later that year where he was employed by the Bank of Nova Scotia for 18 months before resuming his education at the University of Alberta. Upon graduation from the Faculty of Law in 1956, Murray joined the Calgary law firm Allen, MacKimmie, Matthews and Wood (later known as MacKimmie Matthews). In 1957 he married Eleanor Nichols in Edmonton. Murray remained associated with the MacKimmie Matthews firm throughout his legal career which extended over 40 years, heading the firm’s litigation department for several years and serving as the firm’s managing partner from 1982 until 1992. He was President of the Calgary Bar Association in 1976-1977 and was appointed a Queen’s Counsel in 1978. Murray was predeceased by his mother, Edna (Freeborn) Putnam in 1952, by his father, E. Ross Putnam, in 1958 and by his daughter, Linda, in 2005. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Eleanor, their two sons, David (Debra) and Mitchell (Bev), son in law, Todd Gardiner and seven grandchildren, Krista, Travis, Jeffrey, Hannah, Jill, Jack and Mitchell. Murray enjoyed hiking and skiing in the mountains and travelled extensively with Eleanor but his most cherished times were those that he spent with his family and friends at the Sylvan Lake cottage. He was a true gentleman who was respected for his integrity, generosity and sense of fairness. A celebration of Murray’s life will be held at The Glencoe Club (636 29 Avenue S.W.) on Monday, September 26, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the doctors and staff at the Peter Lougheed Centre for the outstanding care and support provided to Murray. In living memory of Murray Putnam, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403)243-8200.