Peacefully, in his sleep, at the end of a “great day”, at Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital on Monday, September 26, 2011 of Ilderton and formerly of RR 1 Denfield in his 91st year. Beloved husband of Dorothy (Knapp) McRae for 62 years. Dear father of Doug and Brenda McRae of Port Dover, Ron and Linda McRae of RR 1 Denfield, Marjorie and Paul Johnson of London, Barbara and Larry McGill of RR 4 Glencoe, Bill Thomas and Laurie and Brent Fowles all of Ilderton. Dear grandfather of 24 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Also missed by his nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his daughter Mary Beth Thomas, sister Jessie Mackie, brother Ian McRae and infant brothers Ronald and Kenneth.
Murray was Past President and Director of the Ilderton Fair Board, Past President of Quality Swine, a long-time member of Vanneck United Church, 1949 Graduate of University of Guelph, a permanent member of the OAC Alumni Association and the Ontario Agriculture Hall of Fame Association. Murray’s family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the nursing staff at the Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital.
Friends may call at the Haskett Funeral Home, 223 Main Street, Lucan on Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 PM. The funeral service will be held at Vanneck United Church, 22651 Vanneck Road, Ilderton on Wednesday, September 28th at 11 AM with Rev. Pam Tolmay officiating. Interment Telfer Cemetery.
Donations to Vanneck United Church or the Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital would be appreciated by the family.
A. Murray McRae
Shakil Popatiya
Very sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you all.
Jim F. Hunter
Dear Dorothy & Family,
My sincere condolences to you. I always enjoyed talking with Murray about the hog industry and especially about Quality Swine Cooperative. God Bless.
Jack & Mary Giles
Dorothy & Family. Our deepest sympathy to you and may God comfort you. We have many fond memories -4H, Junior Farmers-& especially our 808 Group, of Murray-a soft spoken & kind friend.
Doug Hayes & Julie and Chris and families
So sorry to hear of Murray’s passing . Murray and Dorothy opened their home when I came to visit over the years. . I always looked forward to the chat’s I had with Murray when I stayed there. They were so good to have Julie and I for a night away from the hospital when Julie was sick. The whole family are in our thoughts. Sorry I could not make it down at this time.
Steve and Kim Bowman and family
Dear Dorothy and families,
We extend our deepest sympathies in the loss of your husband, father, great-grandfather. The Lord took him at the time the community comes together at the the Ilderton Fair, to remind us of what a ‘wonderful community man ‘ he was.
God Bless.
Jake Lenders
Dear Dorothy and Family
My sincere condolences to you all on the passing of your husband, Murray, dad and grand dad. He had always been an inspiration to me which continues to this day. What a wonderful man he was, which I’m sure will continue as your family grows!
Gord and Joan Taylor
Dorothy and Family,
Our sincere condolences on Murray’s passing. His loss will be felt by many people beyond your family. He was truly a kind and gentle man. We will keep your family in our prayers in the coming weeks.
God Bless you all.
Sharanne MacDonald
My deepest sympathy on the death of your husband, Dad and Grandpa.
I always enjoyed talking to Murray when I saw him- usually at a musical event. He reminded me so much of my Dad- also a farmer.
He will always be with you in your thoughts and conversations and I hope that you find comfort in knowing that.
His traits of community involvement and integrity will live on in all of you. He was so proud of you all.
Susan Oke (Charlton)
Dear Dorothy – with sympathy for you and your family.
As difficult as this time is, may you find comfort in knowing that Murray will always be with you, and the memories you shared will forever be part of your life.
Thinking of all of you.
Susan
Carole Nunns
Dear Dorothy,
Just wanted you and your wonderful family to know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. Carole Nunns
Lynn Fowles and Glenn Scaia
My heart goes out to you all as you reflect on the full life of your husband, father and grandfather.
Brent and Laurie and family find peace in all the wonderful memories you hold in your heart.
Hugs Lynn and Glenn
John & Katherine McNaughton
Dorothy & Family
Murray and Dorothy have always been special people in my heart.
Murray especially after having given my dad his last ride in the back of Murray’s station wagon as his heart failed him at the Co-Op in Ilderton. Dr. Meredith rode with them to the hospital -1962.
There will be a special place for Murray in heaven as he was so special to so many on earth.
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal
Love leaves a memory no one can steal
May the memoires of his Life help you find peace in the days to come.
Sincere Sympathy to all family members
John & Katherine McNaughton
Bob and Nancy Manning
Dorothy and family:
Sorry to hear of Murray’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you now and in the coming days and weeks. I am sure you will have many fond memories to call on and lots of family stories to recall.
Bob and Nancy
Janet Connor
To Dorothy and the wonderful McRae family.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Murray had a wonderful spirit and a way of making one feel that we mattered in this big world. His daily walks and conversations at Vintage Green with so many people will be missed.
I am so glad he had such a wonderful day on Sunday.
Sincerely Janet Connor
Dave and Joyce Rose
To Ron, Linda, and all the McRae families. Please accept our sincere condolences. Murray was truly “A Man Outstanding in his Field. ” Years ago I saw an ad in McLeans magazine from New Holland. The ad was named Me the Farmer, and I thought of it this morning as I prepared my thoughts for this message. In essence it said: “I am glad I am a farmer. It’s simply because I know what I am,and I know what I feel. It’s pride, satisfaction,and honest labour. It’s being able to sleep each night,and go to work in the morning. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Me, the Farmer.
-Time and distance do not allow us to be there at this moment, but you are in our thoughts, prayers and wishes.
Dave and Joyce Rose
HENRY & MARGARET KLING
We are very sorry to hear of the passing of a wonderful person who we called friend. To Dot and the entire family we offer our prayers and good thoughts.
Henry and Margaret Kling, London, ON.
Suzanne (Fletcher) Clarke and Hugh Fletcher
Dear Dorothy and Family
Where has the time gone? We have all been so lucky to have had so many great people in our lives to guide and teach us. Murray was one of those people! He was such a gentle giant at 4H events, at the fairs and in the community. Whether it was judging competitions or showing pigs or out in the neighbourhood, he was always there to give a helping hand and to show us how to do things easier or in a better way.
Murray was a wonderful man who will live on through all of you and in our memories as well. We offer you our sincere condolances as we think of you in your time of grief..
With Heartfelt sympathy,
Hugh Fletcher and Suzanne Clarke
Jack and Betty Southen
Our deepest sympathy in the loss of a dear husband, father and grandfather. We, too, will miss him. He was a good friend.
Jack and Betty Southen
Frank, Dianne, Scott and Paul Dietrich
To the McRae Family, our sincere thoughts and prayers go out to you at this time. He was a kind, gentle and hard working man, and a great role model for his family and community. Thinking of you, Frank, Dianne, Scott and Paul Dietrich
Gord Worrall
Sorry to read about the passing of Mr. McRae. I hope that you have many happy memories to share.
Lyle & Mary Ann Hendrikx
Murray was a good man who contributed a lot of time to his family and community. He’ll be remembered by many of us. Condolences to all of the family