MCDERMID, Murray David

May 19, 1947 - May 31, 2020

On May 31st, 2020, Murray died peacefully in his Vancouver home, surrounded by his wife Joan, daughter Andrea and grandson James.

Murray was born in Victoria, where he grew up with his parents and sister Gail. Murray was caring and kind, always looking for ways to help. As a young man, he volunteered as a firefighter, ambulance driver and for Marine Search and Rescue. So, it was not surprising, when on a group kayaking trip, he was the first to lean in and help a young woman who was having an asthma attack, out of the ocean. Joan and Murray spent the next 43 years together as lovers and best friends. Murray knew everything about building, fixing and renovating. He created a beautiful home and helped his friends do the same. Murray had many friends who he cared for deeply; he was easy to love. Playful, curious and enthusiastic, he loved to travel by air, train, or roaming with Joan in their 5th wheel, capturing the beauty of each place through his photography.

In his early years, he sang in a Barbershop Quartet and played the banjo. He enjoyed all kinds of music from folk festivals to the symphony. Nothing gave him more pleasure than the hours he spent listening to his grandson James play the piano.

Murray treasured family, and loved spending time with Andrea, Ian and James, Gail and Oreste, Joan's siblings and their partners, his many nieces, nephews, their children, and all his "outlaws". Murray was a caring stepfather, loved by Andrea, and all of her friends: his other "kids".

Murray will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

We are grateful to all of the friends, neighbours, and health care workers who supported him and Joan through his illness.

Please share your memories and pictures of Murray here https://www.forevermissed.com/murray mcdermid/about