MURRAY, John Stephen "Jack" - "We are thankful for these and all the good things in life."
It is with gratitude for a rich and well-lived life that we announce the passing of Jack Murray on July 17, 2020.
Jack was born in Seaforth, Ontario, in 1934. He grew up on the family farm, helping his parents, Mary and Mike, with the dairy herd.
Jack journeyed to Guelph to attend the Ontario Agricultural College, where a young brunette named Margaret Mulhall sat beside him in first year Chemistry. Jack recognized in her the intelligent woman he was seeking as a life partner.
Their marriage lasted 63 years, and together they created five wonderful children: Ellen, Mike, Steve, Joe and Anne. Jack and Marg warmly welcomed their children's spouses: Fran Turner, Deborah Soanes, Lisa Austin and Larry Agnew. Ten grandchildren followed: Paul, Patrick, Jean, Michael, Glenn, Stuart, Calum, Rafe, Brendan and Liam.
Several joyful family weddings over the years further expanded the family to include Tara Colabufalo, Noël Wan, and Amy Persia. Jack was fortunate to hold both of his newborn great-grandchildren, Jace Murray and Wells Jack Murray. Jack valued family above all else and he and Marg loved to create big family events. His grandchildren have spent every New Year's Eve of their lives together as a family at Winterlude at Geneva Park.
Jack was a connector for his large and boisterous extended family, including the O'Rourke and Murray cousins, and the Mulhall/Boyle clan. Jack will be especially missed by his brother Lou Murray and his wife Trudy Cameron, and his sisters-in-law, Mary Ellen Lawless and Christine Fisher.
He was sadly predeceased by brothers-in-law Dan Lawless and Bob Fisher, and his sister-in-law Norma Murray.
Jack was a lifelong member of the Roman Catholic Church, attending the Newman Centre for decades and most recently as a member of St. Gabriel's parish in North York.
Jack was fortunate to share his life with his soul mate, Margaret. Their love and affection for each other was an example to all of us of how to negotiate the complexities of marriage.
At the end of his life, Jack's concern was not for himself, but for his beloved Marg. Jack was the rock that everybody leaned on and his kindness and generosity touched so many people. Jack's presence in our lives left us stronger and wiser, so that we can, in Jack's own words, "carry on."
Arrangements with the R. S. Kane Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday July 22 at 11:00 a.m. at St Gabriel's Church (670 Sheppard Ave. E.). Given COVID restrictions, seating at the church is limited. Once circumstances permit, a larger celebration of Jack's life will be arranged. To request a seat for the funeral and/or to receive updates about the celebration of Jack's life, please contact the family at
Memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the New Democratic Party.
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