James Finlayson Murray
After the most compassionate care at Stedman Community Hospice, Brantford, and with his love and concern for all humanity declared right to the end, Jim has moved on from his earthly 95 years on Wednesday, May 30, 2018 to the next ‘possibility’ in his amazing journey. Born March 12, 1923 to John and Annie Murray – a brother for the late Isabel (Pete McCrea) and Kathleen (George Weber) - he was raised to work the land on Spruce Hill farm in North Dumfries Township, ON. But Jim’s passion for art and design led him to study at OCAD University in Toronto, becoming a prominent, award winning furniture designer and manufacturer with many of his institutional designs being placed in parliament buildings and universities across Canada. Toronto is also where he met and married Jean (Gardiner), who shared the most amazing love and life for 64 years. Moving to a parcel of land beside Jim’s original homestead, they raised a family of five as they built their own home, furniture business and later an antique business. With incredible joy for sharing the wonders of nature with his children – Karen Murray-Hopf (Les), Paul, John (Robynne McKenzie-Murray), Ann Cochrane (Matt) and Peter – and grandchildren James Cochrane (Amanda Fraser), Karlie St. Jean (Hopf) (Steve), Aaron Cochrane, Reba Hopf (Darrel Giesbrecht) and Kiersay Murray - they learned and loved, among many things, to recognize flora and fauna, where to hunt for fossils and native relics and how to paddle a canoe without disturbing wildlife. His great-grandchildren Jimmy and Fraser were starting to learn too! Much of that was done at Jim’s favourite place, the family’s remote and rustic cottage on Wilson Lake north of Parry Sound. Many life lessons were taught here, especially through his nightly storytelling to the rapt ears of five kids in one bedroom! With a love and talent for capturing images, the family often spent evenings enjoying (or rather, endured by sons-in-law!) his wonderful slideshows. He also took up sailing and after trying his hand at smaller boats, he purchased a larger wooden hulled sailboat that he painstakingly refurbished to sail on Lake Erie. He later combined his love of this lake and photography by creating a beautiful photo book, Lake Erie: The North Shore. Music played a big role in Jim and Jean’s life including Jim building his own ‘hi-fi’ equipment, which immersed the family in wonderful classical or folk performances. And while Jean would sing and lead on piano, Jim would provide either guitar or violin accompaniment to many a rousing family sing-along! Jim, a life-long member of Glen Morris United Church, was very involved in its life and work as a member of Outreach, Session and other various committees but also as Sunday School teacher and youth group leader. His retirement years saw him focus on matters close to his heart – his Scottish heritage and ancestry, his intellectual and humanist approach to religion and truth seeking as a member of the Discuss & Discover group in Cambridge, but primarily, human rights issues through his volunteering with Amnesty International. Always up for a discussion with family members as well, sometimes across a chess or Scrabble board, topics frequently included his concern for the environment and the world, not only for his children but ‘for all children both today and tomorrow’. Above all else for our beautiful and gentle Jim, it was love that was the key, binding us together as one, encouraging us all to live this love. It is now with love that we invite you to share in Jim’s Life Celebration! Please join us on Friday, June 8 at 1:00 pm, Calvary Church, Ayr ON for an afternoon of music and memories, food and fellowship. If you would like to make a donation in Jim’s memory, please consider Glen Morris United Church, Amnesty International, Stedman Community Hospice and others by contacting Wm Kipp Funeral Home at www.wmkippfuneralhome.com or 519-442-3061

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