Obituary
(George) Murray Chaplin
February 4, 1937- August 30, 2020
It is with heavy hearts and immense sadness that the family of (George) Murray Chaplin announce his passing on August 30, 2020.
Murray was born to Max and Jean Chaplin on Gilbert Street on February 4, 1937. Murray first gained fame in 1949 when he was photographed holding the Newfoundland flag the day after the province joined Confederation. Murray was 12 years old at the time. The store was owned by Thomas Whelan who was opposed to Confederation and viewed March 31, 1949 as a day of mourning. Murray was in the store at the time and Mr. Whelan asked Murray to climb up on the fence and hold up the Newfoundland flag as there was no wind when the famous photograph was taken. The iconic ‘We Let The Old Flag Fall’ photograph with Murray has become a widely circulated photograph since that time.
Murray enjoyed a long and successful career with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans with the Government of Canada. Besides his family, his true love was sports. Murray was an athlete, a baseball and hockey coach with the Guards and Celtics, and a long time Board Member with the Twin Rinks (Avalon Arena Association). His commitment to sports was recognized in 1989, when Murray was inducted into the St. John’s Baseball Hall for Fame in the Builder Category.
Murray was best known for his avid volunteerism. He was a long-standing member of the Rotary Club of St. John’s, and received the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow from Rotary International. Murray was the President of the St. John’s Maple Leafs Booster Club and Chair of the Maple Leafs Foundation followed by being a St. John’s Icecaps Foundation Member and later as a member of Newfoundland Growlers Booster Club. Never missing a night since 1991, Murray coordinated and sold 50/50 tickets with a team of volunteers. As noted in The Telegram on April 17, 2017, Murray has been ‘taking in, and giving out, lots of money over the years.’ It was because of the overwhelming success of the 50/50 fundraising efforts since 1991, that substantial money was raised and subsequently donated to hundreds of charities. The family was proud to share Murray with the greater community at Mile One, for the benefit of so many worthwhile causes.
Murray was a devoted husband and beloved Dad who inspired his family to work hard, stay grounded and believe that they could accomplish anything they dreamed. Leaving to mourn his loving wife of over 50 years, Geraldine (Donovan), his daughter Carolyn, son Mark and grandson Michael (Mother Natasha Mooney). Murray is also mourned by his brother Neil (Olga), sister Valerie, the Donovan Family: mother-in-law Irene Donovan, Michael (Alice), Brian (Helen), Brenda (Jim), and Jim (Doreen), as well as many nieces, nephews, long-time friends Curtis LeGrow, Eric Winsor, Bob Young, Bob, Peggy and Jaime Cooney, in addition to a large-circle of friends. Murray is predeceased by his infant son Andrew, parents Max and Jean Chaplin, Sister Beverley, and father-in-law Thomas Donovan.
As a legacy to Murray living the Rotary Club motto, ‘Service Above Self,’ the family would gratefully appreciate donations in Murray’s memory to either the Jimmy Pratt Memorial Outreach Centre or VOWR.
A private family funeral with inurnment along with a celebration of Murray’s well lived life will occur at a later date.
To leave a message of condolences please visit www.barretts.ca.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of George Murray Chaplin 2020..
Death notice for the town of: St-John’s, Province: T-N