Murray’s Obituary
Murray Herbert “Sam” Holden, Middle Ohio, Shelburne County was born December 3, 1932. Sam passed away at home on August 11, 2021, just as he lived, with loving family by his side.
Sam was born in Jordan Falls, the second son of Harley Campbell and Bertha “Jean” Holden (née Bower) who both predeceased him, along with sisters Joan Margison (“Mac”), Patricia “Pat” Scott (Everett) and Audrey Bell (“Jack”), and very recently, younger brother Harley (Marilyn). Sam is survived by the love of his life: his best friend, constant companion, personal manager and devoted wife of 66 years Shirley Elaine (nee Goodick). For Sam and Shirley great love and their brightest lights came in two’s: sons Murray “David” (Denise), Tecumseh, Ont. and Mark Douglas, Sandy Point; twin grandsons (Mark’s boys) Murray “Jason” (Emily), Edmonton and Paul Douglas (Teiga), Ancaster, Ont.; and two greatest grandsons (Jay and Emily’s boys) Murray “Aiden” and Alexander. Sam is also survived by brothers Albert “Peter” (Shirley), Port Clyde, Garth (Janet), now in Dartmouth (formerly Hamilton), sisters Constance deMolitor (late husband John), East Jordan and Vivian Scott (Frank), Sandy Point, and by many nieces and nephews for whom Sam always had a warm smile and lots of time. Sam grew up in Jordan Falls, where he learned to hunt, fish and escort the family ox along the 4, 6 and 8 mile brooks on the way to Lake John. He left home to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces (army) for 3 years, stationed in Germany during the Korean War. Within just a few years Sam was married to a pretty firecracker from the right side of the lighthouse (aka “a muck”) and heading for Hamilton where he worked at the Stelco Steel Mill for 33 years. At home, when he wasn’t trying to steal a nap between concerts by his drumming prodigy, or waiting for the farmer to get home so he could get after him about all the “parts” (of trucks, jeeps, and most anything with wheels) around the yard, Sam enjoyed time in his garden and getting out hunting, fishing, camping and canoeing with Shirley and the boys, sometimes joined by Harley, Marilynn and their kids. Sam and Shirley loved their home and raising their boys in Westover Ontario, surrounded by farms, fellow “gardeners”, and many dear and lifelong friends. Sam enjoyed his travels with his Black Powder Club in Burlington, and made muzzle loaders, with intricately carved stocks, for himself and his boys. Sam was a gifted carver from childhood, and later “turned” to his lathe, with skills and artistry that were self taught from beginner to expert, like most things Sam tried. Sam retired back to Shelburne in 1988, where he and Shirley built and enjoyed their dream and their home on Lake Deception. Sam was a master carver, props builder and powder master (as well as best supporting actor, aka “an extra”) for the “Scarlett Letter” in 1994. Sam enjoyed work on the movie but, ahead of his time, insisted he would work from home. From his basement workshop and until at least the last year, Sam produced many hand-made tools and works of art, for the film and throughout his life for family and friends: powder horns, bird and waterfowl carvings, bowls, tools, ornaments and toys, including a wooden rattle for Hester Prynne’s baby and wooden dragons for some extra special boys. In “retirement”, Sam was a volunteer fireman and long time member of the Middle and Upper Ohio Fire Department. He was a founder and long time participant in historical re-enactment in Shelburne (beginning as the Princess of Wales Regiment, later the New Jersey Volunteers). Sam’s official rank was “major” but unofficially he was a ready and able resource, builder, comrade and cook. He and Shirley enjoyed many good years, great times and dear friends English country dancing and “in the Regiment”, which took them (and sometimes grandsons) to events and encampments from Shelburne waterfront (aka “camp earwig”), to the Plains of Abraham in Quebec, and favorite spots in Cape Breton, Nfld and Labrador, places they loved to return, and did many times, together and with close friends. Sam personified patience as a craftsman, hunter and fisherman, but also as the spouse and father of incurable Maple Leafs fans. An avid reader, always learning, Sam was a natural teacher and generous in all he did, happy to share what he was working on, how and why. Sam had an abiding love and respect for nature and wildlife. He lived the adage that “you only hunt what you can eat”, and was an easy friend of all animals (winged, 4 legs or even 2). Sam fed his connection with nature from his home by the lake in middle Ohio, where he and Shirley spent more than three wonderful decades together, with family and friends (furless, furried and feathered), and where he rejoined the one great life that surrounds us. He’ll be deeply missed, but lives on in the beauty, nature and family that he helped create and dearly loved. Shirley and family extend deepest thanks to the VON, home care and palliative care teams for their help and kindness over brief but precious weeks. A celebration of Sam’s life will take place at Huskilson’s Funeral Home in Shelburne on Saturday August 21 at 1pm, with a reception to follow at the Middle & Upper Ohio Fire Hall. Family flowers only. Memorial donations may be made to the Cancer Society, Red Cross or the VON. On-line condolences may be left for the family at www.huskilson.net
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Murray Herbert Holden December 03 1932 August 11 2021..
H.M.Huskilson funeral homes and crematorium
Death notice for the town of: Shelburne, Province: Nova Scotia