David (Dave) Walter Murrells died peacefully at Hospice House, Sunday, May 5th, 2019. He is survived by his wife Leone (Nonie) Murrells, daughter Shannon (Murrells-Allaway), and step children Robert (Boguski), Keith (Boguski) and Judy (Flynn), as well treasured grandchildren.
Born July 30th, 1929, in Romford England, Dave was the 2nd son of Ernest and Emma Murrells: and the 4th child of a blended family of six children. Dave met his first wife Vera at the age of 19 after a hunting accident which took his right arm below the elbow. Vera Emily Acheson was his nurse and they soon fell in love and wed four years later, April 2nd, 1952, at Gardeners End, Ardeley, county of Hertfordshire, England. Four years later they emigrated to Canada on the ship R.M.S. Ivernia travelling from Liverpool to Quebec, arriving June 6th, 1956 with $130 in his pocket and the intention to continue his farming career in his adopted country.
And that he did. Dave and Vera travelled to the prairies, central Saskatchewan, to the town of Baldwinton. There Dave managed a ranch. Wife Vera pulled up roots, however, to find better nursing jobs first in Maidstone and then in larger Lloydminster and Dave eventually followed her there. In Lloyd. he shifted into automotive and farm equipment sales and service.
Nine years after immigrating, their first daughter was born: Shannon Marie. Vera was pregnant two more times, but miscarried.
After some summer holidays in BC, the West beyond the Rockies began to pull Dave and Vera. In 1968, they moved to the beautiful Okanagan Valley, settling in Vernon, renting close to downtown for awhile and then purchasing a home in Coldstream on Aberdeen Rd.. Dave continued sales and service but now strictly in the automotive industry. He worked for Vernon Keymotors and Hilltop Sales and Service for years.
In November, 1973, Dave decided to pursue farming again – not has a career, however, but as a passionate hobby. Vera and Dave bought their five acre farm at 6929, Hwy. 6 – “two houses past Kenkraft” – in the Lavington area. There they dabbled in animal husbandry, gardening, and haying. To this day you can enjoy their daffodils and many other flowers as you drive by.
After the tragic passing of Vera in 1998, Dave found love again through the Vernon New Hope grief group. Leone (Nonie) Boguski entered his life in a special way. They were happily married, Aug. 6th, 1999, and for a while lived in Leone’s townhome in Vernon. But farming still called Dave despite being 70 years old. Thus back out to Lavington they went and back on Dave’s tractor he climbed. Once again he became the local haying contractor. From Coldstream to Lavington Cowboy-hat- adorned Dave could be seen often morning til dusk raking, swathing, turning, or bailing hay pending the season and weather forecast.
Leone naturally became the haying receptionist and eventually Dave had to hire Mel McIntyre because he was so busy.
Leone was not only Dave’s best friend, and haying administrator, but also she was his spiritual prompter. Dave became a born again Christian and claims one of his significant accomplishments in life was his baptism, with pastor Dave Bunn and friend Joe Wallace. Dave was a proud Christian and loved his Lavington Church community. It was his church group that also introduced him to the Gleaners society: a group dedicated to international food, medical and furniture aid as well as local support too. Dave was very proud with his volunteer efforts for food production for those in need.
But all good things come to an end. As Dave and Leone reached their eighties it was time to transition off the farm and into a retirement home. Coldstream Meadows became their home in the last few years.
The kind, hard-working, British cowboy with great wit will be celebrated at a service of remembrance, Sat., June 1st, 10am at the Lavington Church, 9681 School Road, Coldstream, BC.. Donations in lieu of flowers can be given to the Vernon Gleaners, Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Vernon Hospice House.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of David Walter Murrells May 5th 2019..
Death notice for the town of: Vernon, Province: Colombie britanique