Obituary of Murray Brener

Murray Brener died peacefully, suddenly, at Sea on Tuesday, August 8, 2006, at the age of 82 years. He passed away with Noli, his beloved wife and best friend of fifty-three years, by his side. “Papa”, as he is adoringly known to his eight grandchildren, was happily sailing home from Alaska at the time of his unexpected death. He will forever be missed by his Noli, and by his children and grandchildren: Lauren, Sam, Mauri and Alexandra Bell of Calgary; Marc, Debbie, Isabella and Sophia Brener of California; Jeff Brener of Calgary; Jacqueline and Charisse Roza of Calgary; and, Adam, Polina, Aiden, Bram and Caiya Brener of Calgary. Murray was predeceased by his father, Harry, in 1925, a year after Murray was born, and by his mother, Bella, in 1989. Murray was a decorated serviceman and trophied athlete during his time with the R.C.A.F. in WWII. He continued to be a dedicated sportsman his entire life, still playing tennis and golfing only weeks ago. He was an accomplished sailor and a Commander of the Canadian Power Squadron. He was a trusted and highly respected voice in the business community as the senior partner of Grant Thornton LLP at the time of his retirement, and was recently recognized by his profession as a 50-year member of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants. He was a proud leader of the Jewish community, to which he felt a deep commitment and responsibility, and served as President of the Beth Israel Synagogue. But first and to the end, Papa was a devoted husband and a selfless father and grandfather with untiring patience, unwavering in his determination to support, nurture and protect his family. That strength was pervasive, and after first being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1991, Murray founded the Us Too Prostate Cancer Support Group in Calgary to provide information, compassion and support to cancer survivors and the families of its victims. Ultimately, this organization became part of the National Prostate Cancer Network, to which Murray was named as the first non-medical professional director for his vast knowledge and his unbendable commitment to helping others wage their own war against cancer. In November 2005, fifteen years after he began his valiant fight against the disease, Murray was diagnosed with stomach cancer. He did not die a victim of cancer. He died with dignity, at peace, and happily living life on his own terms. Funeral Services will be held at the Jewish Memorial Chapel (North East Corner of Highway 22X & 37th Street S.W.) on Friday, August 11, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. Graveside Service to follow at the Beth Tzedec Memorial Park (122 Shalom Way S.W.). If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 – 29 Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N2 Telephone: (403) 521-3433. Arrangements in care of the CHEVRA KADISHA OF CALGARY, North East Corner of Highway 22X & 37th Street S.W., TELEPHONE: 244-4717.