Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Alexander MURRAY Obituary
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Alexander MURRAY
8 Entries
Peter Penz
March 6, 2024
The sad news of Alex´s death made me reflect on my academic relationship with him and realize that I learned much from him. More specifically, I did what I call my second apprenticeship as student advisor with Alex. (The first had been with Reg Lang.) In those days (I joined the Faculty of Environmental Studies as junior faculty member in 1975), the Faculty had only the MES program and in the early years worked with fixed advisor pairs. Alex was my second advising partner. Since the MES program was quite different from any graduate program I had experienced, there was a lot for me to learn. I will always remember his fair, generous and respectful approach to students.
Sean Cosgrove
February 28, 2024
Condolences to Laura and all to the family in the loss of Alex Murray.What a creative force, such a wise counsellor he was.I feel privileged to have known him and learn from him. I was not a formal student of his, of which he had many, but I learned so much from him not just about planning or research or global affairs but about life.It was quite something to have a gourmet intellect on the Toronto Food Policy Council! It was Michael Hough, his great colleague in planning, environment, design and academia at York University who introduced me to Alex, in the hope we would recruit him to service on the Toronto Food Policy Council. Done.
He served a long time there. We were lucky to have him. I remember the ease with which he took up City staffer Eric Krause´s challenge to research energy use in food miles travelled. Here the Professor shone as the junior took the limelight. Something to see and an example of service.
Fortunately my family and I were able to spend time with Alex and Laura in the Town of Blue Mountains. Once again life learning continued. This is when I was a new father and he was a steadying and kind and generous elder. Always active on the cross country skis! Alex was curious about everything. What a wonder. And no wonder he would be one of the first planners over to China before and through the urban development boom. Alex had a sense of history and human rights and the spirit of justice for all. Thank you for all contributions Alex, they were many.
Peter Victor
February 27, 2024
As a long time colleague of Alex at York University I well remember his friendliness and deep commitment to the Faculty of Environmental Studies. I am proud to have known him.
Bob Bower
February 26, 2024
Dear Laura
Great condolences to you and all the family. You and Alex have been grand neighbours for 40 years. We will deeply miss seeing & chatting with Alex on our walkabouts on South and Crescent.
Sincerely
Bob & Anne Bower
Beth Franklin
February 26, 2024
I met Alex in 1986 when I returned to school as a mature student to get my MES. He was always kind and incredibly knowledgeable. Alex was tireless in guiding students to find their individual paths to learning. My deepest sympathy to Laura and the family.
Marta O'Brien
February 26, 2024
Alex was my thesis advisor for my Masters in Environmental Studies at York. He was very interested in architecture (my field) and was an encouraging professor and mentor. He always dressed in black, as architects do. This became his trademark at York. Naming the parkette in Rosedale for him was a well-deserved honour.
My sincere condolences to Alex's family and friends.
Femida Handy
February 26, 2024
I met Alex when I came as a student in 1972 to FES. To do my masters many years later he was on my PhD committee. I always admire him. He was kind and thoughtful and funny. My condolences to his family
Rodger Schwass
February 24, 2024
Our deepest sympathy to Laura and the family. Alex was a truly remarkable and trustworthy man. He made a difference to thousands of young people.
Rodger and Mary Schwass
Showing 1 - 8 of 8 results