H. MURRAY THOMSON

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H. MURRAY THOMSON Peacefully, late in the afternoon of December 28, Murray Thomson, loving husband, proud father and grandfather, dedicated Manitoba Hydro retiree, curler and musician ceased playing his music. He will be sadly missed by Edna, his wife of 54 years; his daughters, Karen and Lynne; sons-in-law, Stafford and Grant Swain and his four beautiful grandchildren, Vanessa, Kristin, Nevin and Kyla. Born in Newdale, Man., on January 16, 1913, Murray grew up in nearby Shoal Lake with his younger siblings, Sadie Manson, Homer Thomson and the late Doris Dawson. Gifted with perfect pitch, Murray became a musician of professional caliber. He was a playful child who enjoyed teasing his siblings and years later, his children and grandchildren. He also had an early fondness for candy, played competitive pool, enjoyed hunting and fishing, and excelled at auto mechanics. As a young adult Murray worked with his father in the oil and gasoline distribution business and spent his weekends as a saxophonist and violinist playing swing music at country dances in halls and barn lofts throughout western Manitoba. He was always well-dressed, no question. In 1943 he joined the Winnipeg Electric Company at the Seven Sisters generating station. Seven Sisters was life defining for Murray. There he met the love of his life Edna McCreary from Treherne, Manitoba and made many life-long friends. Murray and Edna married in 1946. This was followed by the arrival of daughters Karen and Lynne. The young family were travellers and covered most of North America by car before interstate highways existed. Seven Sisters was a time of music, fishing, and curling including skipping his own rink in the British Consols. Murray was promoted in 1958 and the family moved down river to the Great Falls generating station. Following a promotion to the Winnipeg Hydro-Electric Boards Load Dispatch department in late 1959, the family settled in Fort Garry, Winnipeg. Each stop in Murrays Manitoba Hydro career garnered Edna and Murray many new friends. Murray and Edna were intimately involved in the founding of Donnelly United Church in Fort Garry. In 1977, Murray was recognized for his outstanding community service as a recipient of the special Silver Medal from the Queen commemorating the 25th anniversary of her coronation. Eldest daughter Karen married Stafford Swain in 1972 followed by Lynne marrying Grant Swain (Staffords brother) in 1974. Grandchildren came starting with Vanessa (1974) and Kristin (1976) to Karen and then Nevin (1978) and Kyla (1981) to Lynne. Pets were always part of the familys life. Tom the cat, Sandy and Mickey, the dogs, were succeeded by Buddy. Murray was always very proud to tell people how wonderful his pets were and that Mickey had been small enough to fit in a tea-cup. January 1978 was the beginning of a wonderful retirement for Murray and Edna. The busy couple were active in the Hydro-Ex club, cruising the world over (dressing sharply of course), visiting Lynnes family after their move to Vancouver BC, and relatives and their Manitoba Hydro friends in many places. One of Grandpas greatest joys were the several trips with grandchildren to Europe and the Middle East. This was capped by a special Christmas cruise in 1998 with all the children and grandchildren. A life-long love of automobiles was sated in 1990 with the purchase of a new Ford Mustang - a 77 year old teenager at heart. Even in his last few months Murray enjoyed being on his feet smoothly playing those Glenn Miller tunes on the C-melody saxophone. His last few days were spent enjoying yet another holiday season with his family. Go forward gentle soul. Murrays many friends and extended family are invited to a Memorial Service on Tuesday, January 2 at 2:00 p.m. at the Donnelly United Church, 1226 Waller Ave., with a reception to follow in the church hall. As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Murrays memory to any of Donnelly United Church, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 301-352 Donald Street

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 31, 2000