James “Leo” Murray of Lucknow, beloved husband of the late Imelda (Scharbach), died Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019, at Nine Mile Villa in his 89th year. Born in Kinloss Township, March 31, 1931, he was the son of the late Gertrude (Collison) and P.A. Murray. Survived by children, Jim (Agnes) Murray of Lucknow, Kevin (Janet) Murray of Ripley, Marilyn (Allan) Scott of Belfast, Teresa Pfeiffer of Cambridge, Mike Murray of Holyrood and Jeff Murray of Sutton. Also greatly missed by 20 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Brother of Eleanor Kraemer of Kinloss, Gerald (Nancy) Murray of Holyrood, Barbara (Doug) Schmidt of Toronto, and Elaine Fisher of Exeter; and brother-in-law of Therese Scharbach, Joan Murray, Bernice Murray, and Amelia Murray. Predeceased by his granddaughter, Laura Murray; and siblings, Margaret Ann Dales, Veronica McCarter, and Ab, Charles, John and Frank Murray. Leo farmed all his life in Kinloss Township. He was a member of the Lucknow Agricultural Society and the Lucknow Fall Fair committee. He loved horses and buggies, organized the fall fair horse show every year and was an avid competitor. He was the grand master of the annual May 24th weekend covered-wagon ride which began 30 years ago and continues today. He was also one of the founders of the Kinloss Central Public School in Holyrood, now the Mennonite doctor's office. Leo was a long-time member of Kinloss Township council and served as reeve for several terms. After the amalgamation of Kinloss Township with Huron Township and Lucknow in 1999, he served as deputy reeve on the new Township of Huron-Kinloss council for one term. In 2003, he moved to the seniors apartments located up on the hill behind the water tower in Lucknow, and two years ago, he moved to Nine Mile Villa in Lucknow. He loved his family, and was called the “Smartie” Grandpa because he always gave them Smarties. He taught his grandchildren to love music, animals, especially horses, and their Irish roots; to always tell the truth; and to value family more than anything else. Visitation will be held at the Lucknow Community Centre, Friday Oct. 11, 2019, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., where the funeral will be held Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, at 11 a.m. Interment, Greenhill Cemetery, Lucknow. Memorial donations to the Lucknow Agricultural Society or Huron Bruce Minor Hockey, would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy. |