Wayne Murray

September 25, 1957 - April 24, 2018

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Wayne George Murray of Walters Falls, passed with his loving family by his side, at London Victoria Hospital on April 24th, 2018, at age 60. He is survived by his dear wife of 39 years, Linda (nee Carson), and sons Jeffery (Andrea) and Stephen (Sarah). Cherished papa to grand-daughter Greer. Also survived by his father George Murray, siblings James Murray, Connie McLean (Jamie) and Paul Murray (Brenda), brother-in-law Clinton Carson, and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his mother Mary (nee Heagy) Murray.

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As a young boy growing up in Walters Falls, Wayne loved sports and cars and couldn't wait for the real thing. With money he had earned himself, he bought his first car at age 16; a '67 Buick Skylark. When it was lost in a fire, he used the insurance money to buy a '70 Roadrunner. He loved listening to classic rock, talking about cars and driving them too fast; as the wrecked Roadrunner and tracheotomy scar would bear witness to. At 17, he met the love of his life, Linda. He was gentle, kind, and soft spoken, and soon became Linda's best friend. She loved that he was a dedicated and hardworking man, as demonstrated by his 40 years of high standards as a sawyer at Hallman Lumber in Walter's Falls. He always said that “ If it is broken – fix it” and “If it's worth doing- do it right”. Together, Wayne and Linda raised their two boys and shared with them their love of sports and nature. Some of the boys earliest memories are of heading to the creek at dawn with peanut butter sandwiches and a thermos of hot chocolate, in search of speckled trout. Later he would coach both boys baseball and hockey, and  Wayne's quiet guidance with the boys bestowed upon them the same qualities that made Wayne so admirable. Wayne continued to play sports himself; he was a talented left-fielder and enjoyed the Sunday night league in Rocklyn. Cars though, were always his passion, especially Nascar, and several trips were made to the Charlotte and Michigan Speedways to cheer on their favourite drivers. Back at home in quieter times, especially on Saturdays after the work was done, Wayne could often be found looking over his beautifully manicured lawn and gardens, sitting quietly listening to the Blue Jays game, until the mosquitoes drove him indoors. He took great pleasure in his vegetable and flower gardens, getting the newest spring colour gladiolas and faithfully digging up the bulbs in the fall and replanting them every year. One summer he nurtured a giant 320 lb. pumpkin which was carted to the local fair.  And of course the flowers, and all the trees he planted, would bring the song birds he so enjoyed watching. He loved long walks in the woods and his family hail him as the best morel hunter around. He was an avid angler and hunter, however his hunting trips were usually taken as opportunities to be in nature by himself as he never had it in him to take the life of anything bigger than small birds. At home he loved having his faithful black lab companion, Bradley, and Lulu the cat. A special memory late in his life was of a fishing trip to Elliot Lake with 2 of his fiends after his first round of cancer treatment where he caught his largest speckled trout ever. Wayne was not a man of many words; quiet, dedicated, and loyal to things important to him. And if there was a minute left in the day? Well, maybe that '78 Ford short box needs a little tinkering.

Visitation will be held at the GARAFRAXA HILL FUNERAL HOME, Chatsworth, on Friday April 27, 2018, from 6:00 - 9:00 pm. The funeral service will be held at the funeral home chapel on Saturday April 28 at 2:00 pm, with a visitation 1 hour prior. Pastor Michael Henkel officiating. Spring interment Walters Falls Cemetery. Friends are invited to remain for a luncheon and an opportunity to share memories of Wayne following the service. If desired, donations to the London Regional Cancer Program, or the charity of one's choice would be appreciated by the family. Condolences may be expressed online at www.garafraxahillfuneral.com

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