Murray Blair

1931 - 2022

“I was born at a very tender age in Soldiers' Memorial Hospital in Orillia, Ontario on September 15, 1931 (the closing day of Speckle Trout season and the opening day of hunting season).”,

This was the start of a lighthearted eulogy written by Murray many years before his death, which came to pass on January 18, 2022.

Murray continues on:

“I started steady work on construction with Ontario Hydro in June 1950. A lot of territory was covered – Upper Notch G.S. on the Montreal River, Kipling Avenue (Toronto), St. Mary's, Stratford, Kitchener, Waterloo, Sudbury, North Bay, Thunder Bay G.S., Manitoulin Island, Whitedog Falls, Cameron Falls, and Little Long Rapids G.S. Then I made a trip to Thunder Bay and married the woman of my heart which was a very smart decision. We then moved to Port Elgin near Douglas Point on Lake Huron, which was Hydro's first nuclear G.S. From there, I went to Pickering Nuclear G.S., and finally, became General Foreman in the northwest region.”

This was the outline of his working career. He took an “early retirement” after 36 years of Hydro employment.

Aside from his job, Murray was gifted with numerous manual skills. He built several snow machines before they came on the market due to his interest in metal fabrication. He also designed and built two houses plus a log summer camp, with a sauna and guest house alongside it.

Due to his upbringing and working career, he was closely attuned to northern ruggedness and enjoyed 50 years of hunting and fishing with likeminded friends, primarily in the Lake Nipigon region. His hunting and fishing family included Gille, Rudy, Wilf, John, Ken, Don, and Shaun.

In his retirement, he had a significant connection with the former Current River United Church as maintenance man, carrying a toolbox, wearing a tam o' shanter, and climbing 30 foot ladders. He offered his services to dozens of homeowners for many kinds of hands-on repairs. His character, which was defined by integrity, responsibility, and patience, attracted respect and admiration from others.

Murray is survived by his loving wife May, 4 daughters – Pat (Dennis Rudy), Tracy (Barry McLeod), Dawn, Lorraine (Ian Cox), 2 sons – Dan (Angela), Bill, 8 grandchildren – Yolande, Cora, Shaun, Robyn, Devon, Cassandra, Alex, and Aric, 5 great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Ann Roberts, brother-in-law Ken Hakala and wife Lorraine, sister-in-law Lorraine Blair of New Liskeard and 2 nephews, David and Chris.

Murray was predeceased by brother Gerald, sister Beth, and his parents, Alex and Bessie.

The Blairs have had a special friendship with the Belanger family through the years, and made many cherished memories through sharing meals, taking fishing trips, and travelling together.

We also want to thank Amanda and Rob for their assistance in the last 2 1/2 months.

If desired, donations can be made to the charity of your choice. Cremation has taken place and a private interment will be held at a later date.

We would like to imagine Murray is now enjoying the pleasure of a pipeful of brown amphora after a forced abstinence of far too long.

Condolences may be made through
www.nwfainc.com