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MURRAY ERIC THRIFT
Born: Nov 18, 1943
Date of Passing: Apr 07, 2019
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MURRAY ERIC THRIFT
He was predeceased by his parents, Eric and Melba (née Belyea), and is survived by his siblings, Kristin, Bill (Gayle) and Dennis (Kate). Husband of 43 years to Lois (née MacMartin) and father to Eric (Narangarav), Charles (Sara), William, Henry (Julie) and Alma. Son-in-law to Nona MacMartin (Malcolm, predeceased). Grandpa to Shaelyn, Cyrus, Ananda, Noah, Allura, Amara, Elliott and Oliver.
Murray was born in Winnipeg on November 18, 1943 and grew up in the Riverview area. He attended Carleton University where he obtained a degree in engineering and excelled on the football field as a defensive end. His passion for football was lifelong. He served as a coach for his sons' teams and was a dedicated Winnipeg Blue Bomber season ticket holder. He (half) jokingly noted his frustration when two of his sons got married on Bomber game days.
He met Lois in Ottawa and they married in 1976. They shared a passion for travel and adventure. Murray recalled with great enthusiasm his travels through Europe and Africa which took him from Scandinavia to South Africa. Murray and Lois shared this passion with their children; every summer the family would take off on a road trip to a new province/territory, camping along the way.
Murray worked as a Patent Agent and was very successful in his field. He worked in offices in Ottawa and Toronto and then in Winnipeg where the family moved in 1987. Murray and Lois raised their children in Winnipeg, eventually settling back in Riverview.
Murray received excellent care and support from Riverview Health Centre, Winnipeg Paramedics, Health Sciences and St. Boniface Hospitals, his family, and his devoted wife Lois who was his rock. The family is very grateful for the care provided by healthcare professionals over the years and at the end of his life.
Murray, you will be missed but you will always be in our hearts.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Arthritis Society or Riverview Health Centre.
A private family Celebration of Life is being planned.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 13, 2019
Condolences & Memories (4 entries)
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It was my pleasure and honour to have played football with Murray at Carleton those many long years ago. He was always a gentleman who gave 110% every time he stepped on the field. I am proud to have been able to call him a team mate and a friend. - Posted by: Dewar Burnett (Friend) on: Sep 02, 2019
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It was my pleasure and honour to have played football with Murray at Carleton those many long years ago. He was always a gentleman who gave 110% every time he stepped on the field. I am proud to have been able to call him a team mate and a friend. - Posted by: Dewar Burnett (Friend) on: Sep 02, 2019
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Murray always knew the answers to the riddle of the day, and everyone wanted Murray on their team when we played trivia. Murray also enjoyed and excelled at our floor curling games but always said he preferred sports with body contact like football. We will miss Murray’s great sense of humour and send our condolences to his family. - Posted by: Cheryl (Friend from Riverview health centre) on: Apr 16, 2019
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My deepest condolences Lois and Family, on the loss of Murray. Murray was a great friend and a legend in the football Coaching fraternity of the Fort Garry Lions. He was a mentor to myself and many other coaches in the Lions organization and his extensive football knowledge and his love of the history of the game fueled his passion. To the many players he coached over the years, he was a larger than life football guru. Murray taught them toughness, defensive techniques, skills and effective defensive schemes. Murray taught players how to persevere in the close games and develop the mental toughness when times were tough, as they were for him the last 18 years of his life after his stroke. We will all miss his humour and passion displayed in telling his amazing stories about football and his life's experiences. Murray, rest easy my friend, you deserve it. You will be missed by many, however we can picture you in the next life, sitting on a bench on a football field, telling a gathered flock of football players and coaches, tales of the Carleton Ravens or Blue Bombers of old or of " Army Six" defensive formations. The next time we gather, our former Fort Garry Lions coaches, will have a toast in Murray's honour. Bob Ledoux and Family - Posted by: Bob Ledoux (Friend and fellow coach with the Fort Garry Lions) on: Apr 13, 2019