Condolences
Hi, Murray. You picked me up in a summer night of 1988 at Winnipeg Airport. You were the first Canadian I knew. Since then, you and Carol help me complete my studying at UM for 5 years. Because of you I had had a very happy life during my staying in Winnipeg. I appreciate your help from my heart.
I miss you, Murray.
Chunxi Guo and family
Jan. 11, 2022
Carol,
I was shocked to read of Murray’s passing.
How very, very sad for you and your family.
I remember telling you how you two were my favourite clients,
This remained true until my retirement.
You both were such a pleasure to spend time with, and your dog
Of course.
I am sending you a heartfelt hug Carol.
Sally Roenisch
How appropriate that family and friends were able to celebrate Murray's life on All Saints Day. And with such a beautiful, prayerful service. A time to share the countless emotions of Murray’s passing after his long, courageous battle with Parkinson's. But it was not the illness but Murray's triumph over it for several decades that that made him such a source of goodness, generosity and grace. All the things the 21st century calls us to place emphasis on if we are to successfully and rewardingly journey forward. On that front, Murray was and remains a very tangible guide.
I remember Murray effortlessly from a good 45 years ago! I was one of the instructor's that taught him in that Quaternary geology and geomorphology class! All about glacial landscapes, with an emphasis on so much that has shaped the Alberta, indeed Canadian landscape. To this day, Murray stands out as part of a handful of undergrads that simply loved learning and equally loved to engage in sharing the pure joy of learning. And what I cherish equally is the deep rewarding opportunity to befriend such engaging individuals. Murray stands out with his warmth and genuine, overflowing congeniality and unpretentious generosity. Those qualities were effortless for him because that's exactly who he was deep down, day in, day out. And he continued to be that way in his courageous and truly spirited struggle with Parkinson’s. Indeed through that, he elevated and further transformed his remarkable personal depth to a new, inspiring level.
Sadly, we narrowly missed the opportunity to share a voyage together to the Arctic in 2018 with Adventure Canada. I was one of the lecturers on board and was so excited that Murray and I might be able to share this enormously rewarding opportunity to visit the arctic together. And see so many of the prominent features he had studied those many decades earlier while I had been researching them. But alas, it was not to be and while that may have overwhelmed lesser souls, Murray moved on with characteristic determination and new goals. I think we missed another opportunity to join forces in the Arctic in 2019 but, as always, there was Murray bouncing back, his resilience triumphing to the marvel, admiration and instruction of us all. I would have loved to have shared an Arctic trip with he and Carol. Indeed, he may well be organizing that right now, sometime down the line, unknown to us all.
So I will end with my heartfelt prayer that waves of warmth increasingly wrap around Carol and all those family and friends who are struggling with such loss. And pray further that Murray's wisdom, determination, generosity and humour increasingly grow and blossom within us all. Murray is far too substantial and REAL to be simply 'gone' and I share in faith the promise that right now he is more real than ever, looking on from on the other side of Isaiah’s 'thin veil'.... in the community of saints - not only freed from the burdens he had been so courageously enduring but actively overlooking/influencing the struggles and growth we all continue to confront and strive to attain to improve our world. Murray will continue to inspire us all, ardently supporting us in ways we can't begin to imagine. Right down to his irresistible sense of humour. So, may we keep on our toes, and support each others needs as Murray will be doing with us. Bless him abundantly!
It is with much sadness I am writing this tribute to Murray and condolences to Carol and family. I was stunned when I received the e-mail containing Murray's obituary. His recovery to a more active lifestyle was a regular prayer of mine. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be. COVID delayed my ability to visit Murray in-person in Calgary. I will now cherish our last long telephone conversation just prior to his stairwell accident. He was in great spirits and was able to reminisce and catch-up with me for about 45 minutes. It is hard to believe that Murray and I met at a Genstar managers' conference back in 1979 when he was managing its Grande Prairie operation, not knowing that about a decade later we would become business partners for some 20 years. Given that I am an only child, Murray became more of a brother to me than just a business partner. For two rather independent guys, we learned to share rather 'deeply', maybe even more than many brothers. The tributes I have read, especially those of some of our former employees, summarize Murray's attributes very well. He was liked by all of our customers. We always used to say, one of us has to be likeable! The stories I could share that involved Murray could fill a book: fortunately, the vast majority of them ended 'happily'. No-one has mentioned how much he loved his 'Carol'. The sun only rose when Carol got up! The two of them were a team. We will always be thankful to Carol for her support of Murray in all of his business ventures/adventures. Our two daughters, Laurel and Lisa remember Murray with fondness. He was always supportive of their endeavours through their teenage and university years. God has blessed you, Murray. Rest In Peace my friend and colleague. Bruce and Helena Clark, Laurel and Lisa.
Sue and I express our deep sympathy to Carol and the family for the loss of this terrific man who we respected so very much. We first met Murray about 50 years ago in Winnipeg. He was rooming with a mutual, dear friend of mine. Hours and hours were spent with a special group of friends there, including Murray, sitting on the floor, listening to music, discussing life. Murray was such a special and unique person. He seemed to make sense of things, offering great insight and clarity while the rest of us rambled. A stabilizing force indeed.
We spent a great deal of time with Murray over the next couple of years in the 'Peg before my IBM career took us elsewhere. During the '70s a group of us, including Murray and Carol, got together annually for Grey Cup weekend whether it be in Saskatoon, Regina or Calgary and spent a weekend having way too much fun. As years went on, Sue and I remained in touch with Murray and Carol, visiting them on occasion when in Calgary, or making random phone calls, etc. As time ensued, frequency of contact lessened but remained.
Fun anecdote: I was in their wedding party and just prior to the service beginning, while standing at attention at the back of the church, the minister approached me and said he was having problems with his voice, and that Murray had suggested that he find me and ask me to handle a portion of the service by reading the passage from the Bible. He quickly told me what this passage would be, that I could review it using any Bible from the pews, and that the large Bible at the lectern would be open to that passage. Well it wasn't. There was a large ribbon marker inserted elsewhere through the Bible. I decided to open it to that bookmark and read whatever was there. The other groomsmen were unaware I had been asked to do this and I learned were somewhat horrified when I broke ranks at the front and stepped up. No doubt other family members, also unaware of this last minute change, were similarly taken aback. (I never asked if I read the correct piece, probably didn't matter. All eyes were on the bride anyway).
At times like this, one wishes one had made the effort to stay in touch more frequently. Murray was one of those classy individuals I would have loved to have had at least one more conversation with....... a true gentleman.
Blessings to the family.
Danny Osborne (and Sue)
I first met Murray a good number of years ago at a meeting convened to discuss a planning issue in our community of Rosedale. We connected in a lot of ways on what we believed made for good neighbourhoods. It wasn’t until later at one of my boxing classes that we realized we had more in common than planning & development philosophies. We were both living with Parkinsons Disease. Despite the frustrations that one faces with PD , Murnay always had a smile and kind words to share. He was an inspiration to all of us.
Kindness flowed through Murray’s words, voice and gestures. He shared his knowledge freely with me offering his wisdom and guidance with business planning. He helped to shape the vision of our Grizzly Strides Program. To see him move was something else! He was fast, agile and precise with his ability to change directions quickly and carry out drills. His mind was so busy and quick that it was often ahead of the game or task in class, which at times lead to some trouble. He always knew just how to ask questions without sounding challenging or judgemental, it was like he asked them for everyone’s well being, so that everyone could learn or grow. Although I was his instructor on the boxing floor, he was my instructor when it came to withstanding the pressures of business growth. He helped to expand our thinking and to see possibilities that we may not have otherwise. He believed in sport and how sport could help to shape youth who really needed a way to grow. He was a strong influence and his mark will leave quite a dent in my punch mitt forever.
Murray and I met through our boxing program and me having the honour of working with him one on one. He was a beautiful person whose sharp mind and thoughful reflections brought me much enjoyment during our training sessions and conversations. I feel very fortunate to have had Murray as part of my life and I will miss my friend.
I am deeply saddened with the news of Murray's passing.
Murray brought me into the masonry industry 35 years ago, gave a kid as green as green could be a chance and mentored me for 10 years. I owe my career to this man.
He was the kindest of all men and was respected by absolutely everyone in the construction industry which is unheard of. He was a brilliant businessman always conducting his affairs with integrity and fairness. He listened. He cared far more about us than himself. He was a diplomat and a gentleman.
We had so much fun together.
He lived for delis and noodle houses.
So many memories. So many stories.
My deepest condolences to Carol and family.
Murray, rest well my friend.
You will be dearly missed and always remembered.
Hugs and love.
Jeffrey
My sincere condolences to Carol and family.
Murray Isaac, my boss, my coworker, my friend. Respectful respected, a gentleman, always positive, energetic through
health and sicknesses.
Fond memories of working, hanging out with Murray in Winnipeg, Calgary, West Coast.
The world has lost one of the best of human beings.
Rest In Peace, love from Al and Elise.
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