George Gibson Murray
April 28 1940-July 29 2024
George was a brave, passionate and very happy soul with a heart of platinum. He brought his young family from Scotland to Canada with a crate full of furniture and a lead on a job. He was a talented Master Carpenter who took great pride in his work. He was self-employed but also worked for different companies over the years, retiring from Ongwanada Hospital in 2010. George was a supportive husband and Dad encouraging Agnes to go to nursing school and both of his children to seek postsecondary education with fulfilling careers and he was very proud of their successes. He loved Canada, especially his beautiful house overlooking sunsets in Collin’s Bay, entertaining many guests around the pool, always bare-chested with a song and a beer. He never lost his deep connection to his Scottish roots, traveling back annually with his family to ensure they also maintained their heritage and love of extended family.
George was a busy man. Always working on some carpentry project, mostly as gifts to others. He was an avid golfer spending many years at Amherstview Golf Club where he was a Club Champion. He played and coached soccer all of his life, most notably with the Cataraqui Soccer Club. He and Agnes loved Cuba and the Cuban people. They spent time there every year after retiring and George took enough suitcases with soccer balls and uniforms to kit out most of the kids in Varadero where they called them Mama and Papa. He was a true entertainer performing with local musical theatre companies in Kingston. He became a great curler in his retirement years. He loved to cook, cooking shows and cookbooks, always up for an adventure in the kitchen or on the BBQ. George was always up for a song. It didn’t matter where he was you always heard him before you saw him as he whistled and sang his way through life. Anyone who ever worked with George will remember this.
He was also a lover of Robert Burns, the great Scottish Poet. You were in for a treat if you attended one of the many Burns Suppers where he recited and sang the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns written by his Father. It is an epic poem of the life and accomplishments of Rabbie Burns and George took great pride in keeping up this family tradition.
George will live on through his greatest legacy, his 2 grandsons, Devon and Findlay. He loved them fiercely. He taught them many of his talents like sports, cards games, whistling and carpentry but he also passed on values that have helped shaped them into the beautiful young men they are today. Respect, compassion, generosity, hard work, empathy and a love of all creatures great and small.
We are so grateful to all of the staff at Fairmount Nursing home. The care both George and Agnes receive as residents, especially the extra love when George was at the end of his life is much appreciated by the family
Please join us for a glass of cheer to celebrate a life well-lived on Friday, August 9th, 2024, from 3:00 - 6:00 pm at James Reid Funeral Home Reception Centre. Words of Love and a toast will take place at 4:00 pm. Please enter through the rear doors. Memorial donations can be made to Fairmount Home, Recreation Music Program.
Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side.
The summer's gone, and all the roses falling,
It's you, it's you must go and I must bide.
But come ye back when summer's in the meadow,
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow,
It's I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow,
Oh, Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so!
But when ye come, and all the flowers are dying,
If I am dead, as dead I well may be,
You'll come and find the place where I am lying,
And kneel and say an Ave there for me.
And I shall hear, though soft you tread above me,
And all my grave will warmer, sweeter be,
For you will bend and tell me that you love me,
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me!
George Gibson Murray
April 28 1940-July 29 2024
Friday, August 9, 2024
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
James Reid Funeral Home, Cremation and Reception Centre
1900 John Counter Blvd., Kingston, ON K7M 7H3
Words of Love and Toast to take place at 4:00 pm. Please enter through the rear doors.