Lieutenant-Colonel Murray C. Stewart
B.A. rmc, pcsc, cdsc, CD, PPCLI (Retired)
December 22, 1932 – June 5, 2021
With a sad heart I announce the passing of Murray Stewart my dear husband and friend. He fought a long hard battle, but he took his last breath on Saturday.
Murray was born in Mersea Township, attended schools in Leamington, became a lifelong friend of William Setterington and completed High School in Strathroy.
Murray joined the army in 1952 and after graduating from Royal Roads Military College in Victoria and the Royal Military College in Kingston was commissioned in Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry in 1956. The PPCLI formed a substantial part of Murray’s identity, something he asserted routinely “Once a Patricia always a Patricia!” and he knows he will be missed by his remaining Patrician brothers. Murray was also a graduate of the Canadian Army Command and Staff College and the University of Western Ontario.
Murray served with the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of his regiment in Canada and Germany and held command, staff, and training appointments in Canada at National Defence Headquarters among others and abroad in Ghana and at NATO Headquarters in Norway.
Murray’s final posting was in Esquimalt B.C. as Director Regional Operations Pacific Region and during this tenure was awarded the Chief of Defence Staff Commendation.
On Retiring from the army in 1987 after 34 years of service Murray moved to Pender Island and was appointed Director of the B.C. Provincial Emergency Program and subsequently became a consultant on disaster planning and response.
Murray returned to his roots in Es County in 2002 and became active in the Historical Park Museum and the Lions Club. Murray enjoyed working with Fred Cross of the Kingsville Lions and was most proud of his Leader Dogs for the Blind Founders Tribute.
It was also at the Lions Club that Murray met his wife Daisy and upon meeting her he immediately sought to woe and betroth her. Murray succeeded and Daisy and Murray were married on July 1st, 2017. Murray liked to say that his “most idyllic days were spent on Pender Island and his happiest ones were all the ones since he had met Daisy.” Murray enjoyed his last years able to make travels with Daisy to events and places special to his heart like St. Johns Newfoundland and even back to Pender Island in British Columbia. For Murray, the military remained a big part of his life no matter how many years into retirement and the pipes and drums was always the music of the day and a reason to dress up in his kilt was never overlooked. At his wedding, his three best army buddies Bob Smith, Dave Spooner and Bruce Stock helped celebrate this special day.
Murray is survived by his wife, nephews Jim and Kirk Bowman, cousin Jane Recker and stepsons Tyson and Travis. Murray spent the last years of his life primarily with Daisy and Tyson and the three of them went around fulfilling things on his end-of-life bucket list like riding a horse once more. Murray spent his last moments in his wife’s loving arms knowing he was very loved.
Arrangements entrusted to Kendrick Funeral Home, Kingsville. If you wish, memorial donations in memory of Murray can be made by cheque to PPCLI-Hamilton Gault Memorial Fund, Building 405, Korea Road, Edmonton, AB T5J 4J5.
Murray’s final act will be to have his ashes strewn into the water at Point Pelee while a piper plays for him one final time the lament “Flowers of the Forest.” You are invited at any time to raise your own glass and give a final farewell to Lieutenant-Colonel Murray C. Stewart.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of LCol Murray Stewart-Kingsville Celebration Centre June 5 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Kingsville, Province: Ontario