A life well lived, a full and fun life.
John Edward Murdock, 90, passed away peacefully June 9, 2022 in the Aberdeen Hospital Palliative Care Unit, New Glasgow with his family by his side.
Born in Ponds on Feb 25, 1932, the youngest of thirteen children, he was a son of the late Alexander Robert and Lucy (Dearn) Murdock. A lifelong resident of Ponds, he followed many of his brothers as a self-employed fisherman and was instrumental in creating and serving on the Board of the local Fishermen’s Co-op. Like many of his generation he was also employed at Eastern Woodworkers and Trenton Works. He was a member of St Paul’s Presbyterian Church Merigomish.
Growing up in a family of 13 was a challenge and after chores, time was spent with balls and bats, old tires, boxing gloves as well as musical instruments including mandolin, guitar, piano and their voices. As a young man, he joined his brothers in many sporting events including hockey and softball which continued into their forties. Family was very important to him especially the gatherings at the family home on the Hill where music and food were on the agenda. After retirement he was asked if he could go anywhere in the world where would it be, he said Nashville because before TV his family would gather around the radio and listen to the Grand Old Opry. So he went to the Opry at the Ryman Theater. Besides his family, his greatest passion in later years was playing cards with friends, as well as travelling to different communities to join like-minded card players in a friendly game and lunch. When the community did not have a game, they moved to a local home for a six hander. Winning was not the goal it was conversation and food.
He was most happy when on or near the water for a sail or at the cottage among his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Surviving are his children: Keith (Lynn) Murdock, New Glasgow; Nancy (Mike) Curley, Woodburn; and Brent (Connie) Murdock, Stewiacke; grandchildren: Jennifer (Mathieu), David (Amy), Brad (Laura), Meghan, Sarah, Kenzie (Kaitlyn); great-grandchildren: Benjamin, Payton, Owen, Lilly, Lochlan, Landen, Elizabeth; and brother Sammy; numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his wife Laura May Murdock; sisters: Aleta Murray, Anna Mae Nicholson, Loretta Arbuckle, Norma Mingo, Doris Arbuckle- Thompson; brothers Harry, Jamie, Leroy, Arthur, Kenny and Stewart.
Visitation 6-8 pm Saturday, in R.H. Porter Funeral Home, 55 Almont Ave., New Glasgow. Funeral 2 pm Sunday, in St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Merigomish, with Rev. Gail Johnson-Murdock officiating. Masks are required for all attending both the visitation and funeral. Burial in Murray’s Point Cemetery. Family flowers only please. Donations in his memory may be made to the VON or Murray’s Point Cemetery.