Obituary for
Murray Cooper
COOPER, MURRAY
(1932-2018)
Murray Wright Cooper, formerly of New Liskeard, Ontario, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at the age of 86.
Born in Swastika, Ontario on February 6, 1932 to Austin and Sybil Cooper, Murray was active in hockey and loved his motorcycle, which caught the eye of Joan Ellen Axcell, also of Swastika. He was accepted into the University of Western Ontario’s business program, where he lettered as a star winger on the varsity hockey team for two years.
Murray chose business over hockey, marrying the love of his life, Joan in 1955. His business career flourished in Northern Ontario, a part of the country he always loved and promised not to leave. In 1964, he was recruited as Assistant Secretary Treasurer of Northern Telephone. Murray would spend the rest of his career there, introducing the first IBM mainframes in Northern Ontario, helped with the sale of the company to Bell Canada, rebuilt the headquarters after a devastating fire in 1979, and rose to the role of President and Chief Executive Officer. He remained an advisor and Board member after his retirement. He served on a number of boards, such as Union Gas, The Ontario Telephone Association, and the Electric Utilities Safety Association.
Always involved and interested in a strong community, Murray was active in the Kiwanis organization, and for 12 years lent his business advice as a member of the New Liskeard Town Council. He put his money into the community, often silently, supporting the golf course, ski hill and numerous local businesses. As the founding president of the Tri-Town Foundation from 1993 to 2004, he helped raise funds which have resulted in grants of over $2.5 million to local businesses.
Never one to be idle, Murray loved the outdoors and every imaginable sport or activity in the North: fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, cross-country and downhill skiing, snowmobiling, car rallies, motorcycling, flying airplanes, sailing, baseball, hockey, curling … and golf! Did he love golf! His clubs were always nearby, and he made annual golf trips with the boys to US destinations in Arizona, Texas and Florida.
Never the wallflower, Murray had a wide network of friends in the North, and his winter home for the past 25 years, Saint Petersburg, Florida.
He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2012, which ended his annual golf trips.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years Joan, his children Michael and wife Clodagh of Dunedin Florida, Richard and wife Louanne of Calgary Alberta, Todd of Vancouver British Columbia, Suzanne (Pettigrew) and husband Mack of Timmins, and David and wife Rhonda of Mississauga Ontario. He leaves behind 6 grandchildren, Mitchell, Georgina, Jordan, Colton, Amanda and Matthew and two great grandchildren Bo and Evey. He is also survived by his brother Grant of Kitchener, Ontario and his sister Doreen Graham of London, Ontario.
The family would like to thank the staff of Extendicare Timmins for all their wonderful care and support. As per his wishes, cremation was held and a private Celebration of Life will occur in the spring. Memorial donations to the Temiskaming Foundation or Alzheimer’s Society of Canada would be greatly appreciated. The funeral arrangements have been entrusted with the MIRON-WILSON FUNERAL HOME, Cremation and Reception Centre, 150 Balsam St. S., Timmins. To order flowers online, light a memorial candle, make online donations or condolences, please visit www.mironwilson.com
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Murray
Cooper 1932 2018.
Décès pour la Ville: Timmins, Province: Ontario