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William MURRAY Obituary
Dale was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on March 7, 1939. His family moved to Regina, Saskatchewan in 1949. He attended Luther College in Regina, and the University of Saskatchewan and undertook postgraduate studies at Carlton University, Ottawa, receiving a Masters Degree in Public Administration. Dale was employed by the Government of Saskatchewan, Department of Public Health for 10 years, with the Research and Statistics Branch and laterally the Saskatchewan Hospital Services Plan.
Dale joined the 10th Field Regiment, RCA Cadet Corps in 1951, attending Cadet Camps at Dundurn, Saskatchewan. On turning age 16, he enrolled in the 10th Field Regiment RCA in 1955, serving for 15 years, being promoted to Major in 1965, serving as a Battery Commander and laterally Deputy Commander of the Regiment. He attended the Reserve Officer Staff Course, Kingston, Ontario in 1969. In 1970, he moved to British Columbia and he transferred to the Supplementary Reserves.
Dale attended the University of British Columbia to study law, graduating in 1975, after which he actively practiced law, in Victoria with Pearlman & Lindholm, for 48 years. He was active in a number of community organizations, including the G. R. Pearkes Centre for Children (President), the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (President), the Art Gallery of Victoria Foundation (Treasurer), the Friends of the Royal BC Museum (Vice President) and the Order of St. Lazarus.
A chance meeting with the Commanding Officer of the 5th (BC) Regiment RCA resulted in a volunteer association with the Regiment of 30 years. Dale was a founding member of the Regiment's Museum and Regimental Foundation. The 5th (BC) Regiment Museum and Archives was accredited as a Military Museum in 1996. In 2009, he received the Colonel Commandant's Commendation for his efforts in the development of the museum and archives. In 2013, Dale was appointed the Honorary Lieutenant Colonel of the 5th (BC) Regiment, RCA for a term of three years. In 2016 he was appointed to be the Honorary Colonel, serving for two terms, retiring in 2022.
Dale maintained a life-long interest in the military history and traditions of Canada. He was a member of the Organization of Military Museums of Canada and he served on the Canadian War Museum's Committee for the Centennial of World War 1. He has supported and made substantial donations of military medals and artifacts to Canadian Military Museums over the past 20 years.
Memories and Condolences
for William MURRAY
Sponsored by the Victoria Times Colonist.
12 Entries
John Ducker - Honorary Colonel 5th (BC) Field Arillery Regt
February 2, 2026
Dale was an outstanding honorary colonel of the 5th (BC) Field Artillery Regiment in Victoria as well as being the long time director of our excellent museum. His time with the regiment was marked by a total commitment to its members and traditions. A true officer and a gentleman who is sadly missed.
Craig Cotter
January 27, 2026
Dale was a great mentor with respect to the 5th (BC) Museum. A kind friend and colleague who will be missed by all.
Craig
Joyce greene
December 31, 2025
This memory is from sisters in law Jane and Joyce in Fredericton NB. We called the Murray household many times over the years expecting to speak to our sister Judy. Dale would answer the phone and after an hour talking to him he would shout out to Judy " it's for you" !!!
BGen (ret) D.A. Patterson, MSM, CD Col Cmdt RCA
December 18, 2025
The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery honours the memory of Honorary Colonel Dale Murray, CD, who passed away on December 8, 2025. Dale´s impact on the Regiment was profound and enduring.
For over three decades, he devoted his time and energy to the 5th (BC) Regiment RCA, playing a pivotal role in establishing its Museum and Regimental Foundation. His vision ensured that our history and traditions would be preserved for future generations. Dale´s leadership and commitment earned him the Colonel Commandant´s Commendation in 2009, and he later served with distinction as Honorary Lieutenant Colonel and Honorary Colonel until 2022.
His passion for military heritage extended nationally, supporting museums and commemorative initiatives across Canada. Dale exemplified the values of service and dedication that define our Regiment. His legacy will live on in the institutions he built and the traditions he safeguarded.
Ubique.
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Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
December 17, 2025
On behalf of the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, we extend our sincere condolences to Judy and her family. Dale´s leadership as President of the AGGV Board and his service as Treasurer on the AGGV Foundation made a meaningful and lasting contribution. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Brigadier-General (Ret'd) James Selbie (Late RCHA and RCA)
December 17, 2025
It was my memorable privilege to meet and become good friends with Dale during our overlapping service to The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery - his as Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel and Honorary Colonel of 5th (BC) Field Regiment, RCA and mine as Colonel Commandant. My every encounter with him be it in Victoria (at the Armoury, Fort Rodd Hill or the Union Club), or the Home Station in Shilo, was a treat - denoted by a remembrance of his service with 10th Fd Regt in Regina, an expression of pride in the latest accomplishment by his regiment or the museum, words of advocacy in favour of the 2924 Khowutzun Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps is the Cowichan Valley, or a thoughtful and valued opinion on a topical regimental issue. His sterling example of long, devoted and generous service to the Regimental Family, locally and nationally, was a great and deeply appreciated source of motivation and encouragement for me, and I am sure, many others in his orbit. I will cherish his memory and offer my condolences on his loss to his wife and extended family, and all others who called him professional partner, mentor, friend, or comrade. Very good shooting, Dale! End of Mission. Stand Easy. UBIQUE
Alixe Bovey
December 17, 2025
I am sorry for your loss, Judy, and thinking of you and many memories of Dale visiting us on Transit Road and then in more recent years as a generous and friendly neighbour on Newport. He was a delightful man, principled and kind-hearted. I am glad to have known him.
Rick Rutherford
December 16, 2025
I will miss Dale. We first met in the late 1980s through our shared interest in collecting and preserving militaria. My sincere condolences to Judy and his family for their loss.
James Godefroy
December 16, 2025
My condolences to Judy and all of Dale´s family and friends. I first met Dale over 30 years ago as a result of our shared hobby collecting military medals awarded to Canadians. While he lived on the other side of the country, we maintained our friendship through letters, and later emails, combined with occasional meetings over the years. We last met in person at Vimy Ridge, on the 100th anniversary commemoration of the battle in 2017; Dale was representing 5th (BC) Field Regiment RCA as the latter´s Honorary Colonel, and his pride was obvious. He was a kind, generous and helpful soul, and a true leader; he will be missed. May he rest in peace.
Tim Stewart
December 16, 2025
I met Dale many years ago on a visit to Victoria. Among the many other things he was involved in, he was also an avid medal collector. He hosted me for lunch and then we spent some time going through his extensive collection of Canadian wartime gallantry groups that he had acquired, including General Sir Julian Byng´s medals. He was wonderful, kind gentleman and devoted to preserving Canada´s military history.
Mary Ann Griffin
December 16, 2025
I will miss Dale. He was a good friend and family lawyer, personal and business. His love of silver brought my husband and him very close.
Craig Cotter
December 16, 2025
Rest in Peace old camrade. You provided much to the military and society. You will be missed.
Craig Cotter
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