Donald Gavin Murray

The well-known Pictou County resident and sportsman passed away at the age of 92 in New Glasgow on December 12th. Born on July 6, 1931, he was raised in the Hillside area of Trenton, son of the late Hector and Laura (Fanning) Murray. He developed an early love for aviation, joining the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1954. He was even better known as a very versatile athlete, participating in softball, baseball, hockey, bowling and especially golf. "Gavin" was a devout fan of the Leafs and the Red Sox, with a special affinity for Fenway Park. This fueled a well-known rivalry with his brother Dempie, who was a life-long St. Louis Cardinals fan. Son Grant once told a sports columnist that their dad incorporated sports in teaching the children many of life's lessons, such as, "Finish what you start, practice, and hard work will open the door for success." Donnie made two trips to Italy when son Gordon worked there, and the two piloted themselves to Wisconsin in 1999 to the Oshkosh Airshow. Donnie twice went to Scotland with Grant to play on the old course at St. Andrew's. He played the Abercrombie golf course for over 50 years, scoring three hole-in-ones, on holes 15, 10 and 8, all witnessed by the eyes of "Early Birds" Bud, John T., Dempie, Charlie and others. In 2018, Grant took Donnie to the Ryder Cup golf classic. There he was up close to the likes of Tiger Woods and other golf stars. His reaction: "Wow, I'm the only person from Hillside at the Ryder Cup." Donnie's love for hockey and skating never left him. As he approached his 80th birthday in 2011, he donned the blades and skated on Ottawa's Rideau Canal. The day Donnie reached 80, the festivities were at Abercrombie. He talked happily about golf, hockey and, yes, family. Family always came first with him. Mixed in with his many sports activities, he managed to find time to work at Trenton Works and later at Scott Paper from where he retired in 1996. He was also a member of Masonic Lodge for 50-plus years. Donnie and the love of his life, Jean (Fraser) Murray of Marshdale, were married for 65 years. Besides Jean, Donnie is survived by one daughter, Margie (Larry) Coffin; three sons, Gordon (Gayle), Grant (C.J.), and Graham (Angela); grandchildren, Alice (Adam) Toner, Daryl (Amanda), Fraser, Melanie (Jonathan) Waugh, Gavin and Miles Murray; great-grandchild, James Toner. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by brother Allan (Dempie) in 2013; sister Carol Swallow in 2020, and brother Vernon in infancy. He is also survived by Jennifer Murray, Robert (Paula) Murray, Brad Swallow, Shawn (Kim), Wendy, Glen and Anita Swallow, and many cousins. Visitation is at R.H. Porter Funeral Home, 55 Almont Ave., New Glasgow, on Friday, December 15, from 2-4pm. Funeral to be held at Trinity United Church, New Glasgow on Saturday, December 16 at 2pm. Donations in Donnie's memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia, or to Trinity United Church. Albion Masonic Lodge will meet at Trinity United Church at 1pm on Saturday to conduct their service.