In Loving Memory
Arthur Patrick Murray DEA, P.Eng.
January 12, 1927 – July 20, 2021
It is with great sadness that we share that Arthur Patrick Murray Dea, known to friends as “Patrick”, passed away on July 20, 2021 at the age of 94. His life was defined by a deep faith, devotion to his wife and family and a vibrant business career.
Patrick was the beloved husband of 58 years to Joan Cecilia (nee Schmidts, deceased) and a loving father to Murray, Janet (Greg Finley), Stephanie (Gary Cable), Catherine (Kenneth Code), Joan (Lionel Conacher), Thomas and Helen, and grandfather to Jennifer, Michael, Jillian, Shannon, Brittany, Caroline, Hartin, Finley, Max, Chas, Chloë, Jasper, Emily, Katherine, Connor, Regan, Kaleigh and Joan. He is survived by his brother, John B. Dea and sister, Mary Kay Wilson, and in-laws Sister Stephanie Schmidts, Winnifred and David Rimstad and John and Dianne Schmidts. He was predeceased by his parents, Arthur and Helen Dea (nee Murray), and in-laws Ann Dea, Edward Wilson and Lawrence and Elvira Schmidts. He was a beloved uncle and godfather to many.
Patrick was born in Big Valley, Alberta in 1927. A life-long resident of Edmonton, Patrick attended St. Joseph’s High School and at seventeen enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces and served in World War II. He worked in Northern Alberta in hard rock mining operations before graduating from the University of Alberta with a B.Sc. in Mining and Metallurgical Engineering. A self-made man, Patrick started his career surveying and designing infrastructure in what is now the City of Edmonton and across the Prairies. He then joined a small Edmonton-based engineering company, later called Cyclone Engineering, which he subsequently purchased. Willing to take risks, Patrick took the business in a new direction, licensing patented equipment used in thermal coal washing operations, consulting to the coal industry and expanding internationally. He participated in a Canadian international business delegation and with the development of a coal cleaning operation in Pakistan helped develop a Canadian business presence in Southeast Asia. He was known as a talented engineer and a leader who led with deeply held values of integrity and generosity.
Patrick was a faithful and active member of St Andrew’s Catholic Church for his entire life where he contributed many hours of service including with the Knights of Columbus. He sang tenor in the church choir where he met the love of his life Joan, an aspiring opera singer. Through their shared faith and love of music, they married and built a family together. He was extraordinarily proud of his children and grandchildren and took great pleasure in hearing about their lives and providing advice and unconditional love to them.
Patrick had a love of classical music, and together with Joan was a passionate patron of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and the Edmonton Opera. He was a diehard Edmonton Oilers fan and faithfully attended all their games. Patrick had broad intellectual interests, was an avid reader and enjoyed discussing global affairs, politics and the economy. Friends and family cherish the memories of many evenings enjoying the family’s company as Patrick stood over the BBQ – steaks could never be thick enough, seasoned enough nor rare enough.
The family will receive guests between 7:00 – 9:00, reflections 7:15 – 7:45, on Friday, August 6th at Connelly-McKinley, 10011 – 114 Street, Edmonton.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday August 7th at 1:00 PM at St. Andrews Catholic Church, 12810 – 111 Avenue NW, Edmonton, reception to follow. A special thanks to the staff at Norwood Rehabilitation Hospital, 3rd Floor and his devoted friends Marilyn Eldon, Don Jackson and Mick Poliak. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Arthur Patrick Murray Dea 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Edmonton, Province: Alberta