It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Murray Wilson on Wednesday, June 17, 2020, at the age of 82 years. Born in King City, Ontario, he was the son of the late Rev. Harry (Toronto, ON) and Eva (Brandon/Neepawa, MB) Wilson.
Murray was a loving husband of 47 years to the late Joan Wilson. He was a kind and caring father/grandfather and will be missed by his daughter Jean Wilson, son-in-law Robert Stirling, son Mark Wilson, daughter-in-law Suzanne Gagne and his grandchildren Nicole and Mitchell Wilson. He was predeceased by his sister Donna Reid and brother/sister-in-law Wilfred and Peggy Horton. He was a much loved “Uncle Mo” to his many nieces, nephews, great and great, great nieces and nephews, as well as his Gagne extended family. He took immense joy in being “Uncle Mo” to so many, sharing his sense of humour, his love of cars and attending family events.
Murray (“Murf”) was a maker of lifelong friends. In every town he lived and every choir/church/volunteer organization in which he participated, his genuine kind and gentle nature touched and held the lives of so many. Regardless of whether his friends were near or far, he valued each and every one dearly.
Murray was a strong dedicated Christ follower and was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church, Thunder Bay until 2006 then attended the Paulin Memorial Presbyterian Church, Windsor, the Keswick Presbyterian Church, Keswick and the Sharon-Hope United Church, Sharon, ON. He believed his faith was a quiet tangible practice and anyone who knew him was the beneficiary of it.
Murray was an avid volunteer in many organizations, of note: the Boy Scouts of Canada in various capacities and the Ontario Cancer Society. In the last 10 years of his retirement, he found his life’s purpose in driving people to and from their cancer appointments.
Music was Murray’s life. He loved a variety of music but was an expert in classical and jazz composers/compositions. He loved singing the bass notes in many different choirs throughout his life including in all the churches he attended, the Fort William Male Choir and Lakehead University Chamber Choir in Thunder Bay, the York Regional Police Community Choir, the Uxbridge (Handel’s) Messiah Singers and Bach to Blues Choir in Stouffville
If you so desire, donations to the Canadian/Ontario Cancer Society, Canadian Baptist Ministries (CBM), Keswick Presbyterian Church or charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family. Cremation has taken place with the Taylor Funeral Home, Newmarket. The family plans to hold a memorial service and life celebration party when it is safe to gather in 2021. If you are interested in obtaining information about the service/celebration, please send an email with your contact information to the following address and the family will send you an update: murraygraywilson@gmail.com. On-line condolences may be sent to www.taylorfh.ca
For me Murray Wilson was "Uncle Murray" yet he truly was not my uncle but my cousin. Murray Gray Wilson and my Dad, William Murray Harvey were first cousins - and yes both first cousins were called Murray throughout their lives, one of the unique things about their close relationship as cousins.
Jean and Mark, I just found out this week about your Dad's passing, so sorry I did not know at the time it happened. But that does not change the level of love and connection I feel for your Dad and your whole family. We used to go to Murray Reunions together and play as children. When we were living in Toronto from 1970 to 1975 we'd visit you as we drove throught Thunder Bay to get to Manitoba for extended family visits.
We kept in touch by email and phone in most recent years, but we had some great fun in person at Gary and Anna's wedding in England, and during a December 21, 2013 Christmas visit near the Toronto Airport. "Uncle Murray" brought much joy to our lives, and now we share that joy and love with you as you grieve his passing.
With love from your extended Murray family
Z'Anne Harvey-Jansen (2nd cousin to Jean and Mark), her husband Brad Jansen
Children Luke and Ethan Jansen
Sherwood Park, Alberta
Dear Wilson family, I am so sad about Murray’s death. As the accompanist for the YRP Chorus and the Director of Music at Sharon-Hope UC, I came to fully love and appreciate Murray’s graciousness, humour,spirituality, warmth and his wonderful gift of music with that smooth rich bass voice. He sang solo lines in our Christmas and Easter cantatas as well as Sunday services. I have a folder of his music, some written by his niece, that he and I were going to work on as solos. I regret that it will not happen. I’d also been the Parish Nurse so he and I shared some conversations on his journey. A wonderful man whose departure is mourned by many. I’m so glad to have the opportunity to know Murray.
