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Douglas Murray

1948-2014

Douglas Murray
Douglas Murray

Douglas Charles Murray, Lt. Commander (retired), 65, New Glasgow, passed away August 25, 2014 at home, surrounded by those he loved.  Born in Kingston, Ontario on November 10, 1948 he was a son of Ronald Charles Murray and Geneva Rachel (Holland) Murray.  He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Patricia Bland; his son, Nikita Duggan (Leisha Carrier), Burlington; step-daughters: Meghan Elizabeth Chapman, Hamilton; and Katrina Leigh Chapman, Victoria; brother, David (Donna), Calgary; sisters: Angela Aragona, Mississauga; Nancy (Len), Courtney; Julia, Belleville; sister-in-law, Dianne, Foxbrook; and a number of nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his parents and his brothers Donald and Daniel.  He attended Queens University but did not graduate as his love of "booze, broads and bridge" exceeded his devotion to academics.  He was in the navy from 1968-1995 and served in HMC Ships Preserver and Assiniboine (Halifax), Qu’Appelle and Restigouche (Victoria), and Nipigon (Halifax) as well as in Canadian Forces Fleet School, Halifax; Maritime Command Headquarters, Halifax and 1 st Canadian Submarine Squadron Headquarters, Halifax as shore based Headquarters Commanding Officer.  Following his retirement he was a full-time parent for several years, earning his nickname of "Mother Doug", and then worked part-time for Nautilus Aquatics and Hobbies and Design Group Displays.  He was a dedicated wine maker and consumer and was known for calling passers-by up onto the front porch for a glass of wine.  Doug was a charmer who had a special way with people and pets.  He chatted up everyone he met and especially loved talking to women.  He had so many foibles that amused and charmed us all.  No-one did denim like Doug, and he couldn’t resist organizing everyone and everything in his wake.  The day before he died he was giving instructions on what time supper should be served, to accommodate his mother-in-law, and it was clear our scheduling wasn’t cutting the mustard.   He loved to travel and had a passion for life, especially the little things that so many of us don’t notice.  He was the official researcher, organizer and photographer of all family vacations, holidays and get-togethers.  He revelled in recent trips to England, Egypt, Jordan and Turkey and never missed an opportunity to have fun (preferably with wine glass in hand).  An avid model railroader and World War I airplane buff, he organized the Shearwater Hobby Show for many years and was active in the Maritime Federation of Model Railroaders and the Sackville Memorial Trust.  He spent much of the last year building a model railway in his hobby room.  It was a standing joke that, no matter what tools or equipment anyone needed, it was "in the hobby room" and, darn me, it always was!  He had more useful stuff in that room than many people have in their entire house.  He was an inveterate problem solver and could always come up with an ingenious solution to suit any challenge.  He was a wonderful man who will be missed by so many people!  We have only lived in New Glasgow for a little over three years, but will be forever grateful for the kindness and support we have received from friends, neighbours, co-workers and health care providers during Doug’s final journey.  Visitation 6-8 pm Wednesday in the R.H. Porter Funeral Home, New Glasgow, from where a Celebration of Life will take place at 4 pm Thursday, with Rev. Dr. Glen Matheson officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Aberdeen Palliative Care Society, New Glasgow. 

 

Service Date
Thursday, August 28, 2014