JOHN (DAVID) MURRAY

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JOHN (DAVID) MURRAY

David died peacefully at home on Saturday, May 24, 2025.

Left to cherish his memory and celebrate his life are his wife Patricia Benjaminson, daughter Andrea Murray and son-in-law Winston Blakey, stepdaughter Jennifer Best and son-in-law Mike Best, stepson Adam Wiles; grandchildren, Casey Benoit, Matthew, Abby and Ella Best, Thomas and Sydney Blakey; sister Joan Tucker, brother-in-law Wade Benjaminson and Sharon Benjaminson, sister-in-law Jeanne Benjaminson and Marlon Persaud, brother-in-law John Smith, stepbrother Grant Platts and Claire Maxwell; nephews and nieces and their families: Cory and Michelle, Ainslie and Steve, Karen and Dave, Karilyn and William, Gary and Jennifer, Bryan and Fawn, Shane and Gail, Braxton and Robin, Morgan and Jonathan, Wade and Melissa, Ritchie and Val, Jennifer and Shawn, Gia, Duncan and Victoria.

He was predeceased by his son Peter Murray, mother Norene Murray, father Randy Murray, stepmother Grace Murray, stepsister Janis Platts, father-in-law Fred Benjaminson, mother-in-law Mavis Benjaminson, brothers-in-law, Craig Tucker, Don “Fred” Benjaminson, sisters-in-law, Margaret Benjaminson and Rita Smith.

David graduated from the University of Manitoba with his degree in pharmacy and had lifetime friendships with many of the “Class of ‘65”. David and Pat greatly enjoyed the class reunions held in Winnipeg, Ottawa, Edmonton, Quebec City, Indiana, Las Vegas and Toronto.

He later returned to the University of Manitoba and earned a degree in medicine and discovered his “work purpose”: geriatric medicine. He spent most of his career at Deer Lodge Centre, much of it as the Medical Director. David also served on several boards. He loved his job, the people he worked with and the people he cared for and their families – they all enriched his life.

David and Pat were married on December 3, 1988. (David’s friend Warren had played match-maker!) They bought a house together in August 1988 and lived there throughout their marriage.

Family was so important to David and he loved hosting annual Christmas Eve and Boxing Day parties as well as hosting or joining family for many, many birthday parties, graduations and celebrations of all kinds.

Grandchildren were a special joy – visiting each of them shortly after birth, babysitting, attending sporting events (many, many sporting events!), school plays, graduations, going on trips and outings together. He was so proud of them!

As his illness progressed, his mobility and ability to communicate decreased but he still loved spending time (mostly watching) with his family.

Andrea noted a special memory: “he quietly enjoyed watching Thomas and Sydney swim in his backyard pool, often with an amused look on his face while they practiced countless silly jumps and dives”. “He was a frequent fan at their many hockey and soccer games”. He enjoyed playing a round of golf with his son Peter as well as shared passion talking about travelling adventures with his daughter Andrea. “His quiet and gentle presence will be missed”.

David enjoyed attending professional sporting events as well. He and Pat were season ticket holders for the Bombers, Jets, and Valour games.

David loved to travel!

As a young man, David, spent several months on a motorcycle travelling Europe with friends. He went to Australia with his family for eight months and worked in a hospital pharmacy. He then went by himself on a ship sailing around the Cape of Good Hope to England where he spent more time.

For their honeymoon David and Pat took their four children on a trip to Disney World, a place they returned to, with children and grandchildren, several times. The whole family enjoyed a family vacation to Mexico a few years ago.

David and Pat took Casey and Adam to Europe to celebrate Casey’s high school graduation. Covid interfered with Matthew and Abby’s graduation trips but were able to squeeze in a Caribbean cruise for them while David was still mobile.

David and Pat also enjoyed travelling alone together and were lucky to have had so many wonderful trips throughout the world. No matter where in the world they went, they always had fun together.

David was always kind, loving, thoughtful, calm, gentle, patient, and forgiving. He never raised his voice. He saw the best in everyone and forgave readily.

He loved with all his heart.

Despite his declining health, especially in the last year, David still always had a smile, always said thank you, and said I love you every day.

Cremation has taken place. The family will have a private service of remembrance and love at a date to be determined.

We are so grateful to so many people who helped David stay at home, where he wanted to be, especially: Dr. Al Schroeder, Prosper Ugophukwu, Sara Vallenilla and the home care nurses.

For those who wish, donations may be made in honour of David to the Deer Lodge Centre Foundation, 2109 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, Manitoba R3J 0L3.

Chapel Lawn Funeral Home

204-885-9715

Tribute Link: www.chapellawn.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 07, 2025