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OBITUARY
McPHERSON, Alfred Angus Murray
February 15, 1923 – November 25, 2001
Murray McPherson died peacefully at the Charleswood Care
Centre
on November 25, 2001 following a lengthy illness. Cherishing
memories of Murray, his generosity and his kindness are Margaret
(Raven)
his wife of 50 years, son Jack and daughter Kathryn and their families;
Christie McPherson and children Meghan, Andrew, Daniel, James,
William, Emily; Ed Ratz and children Ella and Dominik. Also
remembering him with love are his brothers Howard and wife Jessie
McPherson, Aunt Harriet Pentland, all of Brandon and many nieces,
nephews, cousins and friends. Murray was predeceased by his
younger brother Ken and his wife Mary and Margaret’s sister
Marion and
her husband Gordon Mathieson. Murray, the middle son of Angus
and
Ethel (Pentland) McPherson, was born in Brandon and grew up on the
family farm in the Brandon Hills District. Murray often
recounted
stories of riding to school on horseback or lighting the fires for the
school on frigid mornings, or trapping muskrat at the local
creek. Following high school and a B.Sc. Degree from the
Brandon
College, Murray enrolled in the Faculty of Education at the University
of Manitoba in 1947. He earned B.Ed. and M.Ed. degrees from
there
before completing a Ph.D. degree in Educational Curriculum in 1975 at
Michigan State University. Murray’s teaching career
began at
Brandon College in the role of chemistry instructor. After
the
year of teacher training he taught in Dauphin Collegiate, then Luxton
Junior High School and St. John’s High School in
Winnipeg. In
1962 he joined the University of Manitoba Faculty of Education where he
taught methods in mathematics and served for sixteen years as Head of
Department of Curriculum: Mathematics and Natural Sciences
before assuming the position of Co-ordinator of Student
Teaching. During his busy teaching years Murray participated
in
many professional activities particularly in developing mathematics
programs for Manitoba Schools. He co-edited a series of
textbooks
for elementary grades and was a strong supporter of the Manitoba
Association of Mathematics Teachers. In recognition of his
work,
the association honoured him by establishing the “Murray
McPherson
Award” for outstanding Mathematics teachers – an
honor that was deeply
appreciated by him. Murray’s leisure hours were
filled with many
other activities. As a young man he played baseball and
hockey. His interest in sports was evident as he coached
basketball teams and hockey teams in schools and community
clubs. In later years he enjoyed curling especially with the
“Chaplains League” on Monday mornings. A
long time member of the
United church of Canada, Murray was involved in the Church’s
Life and
Work in many ways serving on boards and committees of congregations,
Conference and General Council, the United Church AOTS (As One That
Serves) Men’s Club was of particular importance to him and he
was
elected National President for 1979-1981. In retiring from
the
University in 1988, Murray turned his energies toward volunteering with
Creative Retirement, Mentors Club and Habitat for Humanity –
the latter
as a Board Member as well as an active
“builder”. Murray loved the
Manitoba countryside and was always happy going for a
“drive”,
especially happy if it was down a two-rut back road by a grain
field. He spent many of his summer holidays working with his
brothers on their farms at Brandon Hills. Murray always
enjoyed
visiting; he never wanted to miss a Brandon Hills Picnic.
Sometimes Murray’s drives took him further afield with trips
that would
include calling on the numerous friends he had across the
country.
Alzheimer’s disease finally disable him and when Margaret
could no
longer care for him, Murray spent his last three years in residence at
the Charleswood Care Centre. The compassionate care by the
staff
and visitors was deeply appreciated helping make that time more
bearable for both Murray and Margaret. A service of
remembrance
will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, December 1, 2001 at Westworth
United Church, 1750 Grosvenor Avenue, Winnipeg with interment of his
ashes at Brandon Hills Cemetery at a later date. If friends
so
desire, memorial donations can be made to the Westworth Legacy Fund, or
the Alzheimer’s Society, Leatherdale Gardiner, 1501 Waverley
Street,
204-949-4860.
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