Harold Murray Lang died on Wednesday, August 22, at ninety-six years in Toronto. Murray was truly a gentleman and a scholar and was a thoughtful, caring man. He will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Sheila (Jones/Turner); children Marnie Brehm (William) of Hamilton; Beth Cruickshank (Paul) of Hanover; and Barb Johnstone of Ajax; brother Rev. Robert Lang (Barbara) of Edmonton, Alberta; his grandchildren Peter and Andrew Cruickshank; Heather (Seymour); Matthew and Kelly Johnstone; great-grandchildren Hudson and Kinsley Seymour; nephews Brian Lang (Tammy) and Colin Lang; his grand-nephews Jeremy, Joseph, Timothy, and Gilbert Lang; and his step-children David Turner (Lisa), Nancy Grant (Larry), and Bruce Turner (Steph); and his step-grandchildren Thomas Turner, Michael Turner, and Alana Grant.

He was predeceased by Audrey Grace Lang (Collins), his wife of forty-four years and mother of his three daughters. Also predeceased by parents, Harold Harding Lang and Caroline Lang (Howard), and his sister Dr. Norma C. Lang.

Murray was born in Hamilton and graduated as a biology specialist from McMaster University in 1943. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Engineers during World War II. He transferred to the Canadian Intelligence Corps and served as an Acting-Sergeant in Europe with #17 Field Security Section (Counter-Intelligence) and #2 Field Security Reserve Detachment (Counter-Sabotage). Murray participated in The Memory Project of Historica Canada, relating stories of his experiences during the war. http://www.thememoryproject.com/stories/1608:h.-murray-lang/

After the war, Murray completed his degree in Honours Science at McMaster, and became a Science Specialist teacher. He taught at Lawrence Park C. I. In Toronto (1947-56), and at Burnhamthorpe C. I., (1956-60) when it opened in Etobicoke. He was promoted to Vice-Principal at Kipling C.I. when it opened in 1960. He served as President of the Science Teachers Association of Ontario (1962), and became a Life Member. When Althouse College of Education opened at the University of Western Ontario in 1965, Murray was appointed Professor of Methods of Teaching Biology. Four years later, he became Professor of Science Education at the Faculty of Education, University of Toronto. He retired in 1988 after 41 years of teaching, 18 in the secondary schools and 23 in teacher-education. Over thirty years, Murray was the co-author of 26 textbooks for high school science. After he retired, McMaster University chose Murray for the Distinguished Alumni Scholar Award in 1991.

In his retirement, Murray was honoured by Etobicoke as The Citizen of the Year for 1998 for his volunteer work with the Kiwanis Club of Islington, as chair of the service to young children committee. He was introduced to the Greenholme Community Breakfast Club, and continued to volunteer there, helping to make and serve breakfasts to children at Greenholme Junior-Middle School for 21 years. When the government cut funding for the program in 1996, Murray became Treasurer and chief fundraiser for a group of volunteers who continued to maintain the breakfast club due to the continuing need at the school and in the community. Murray was President of the Kiwanis Club of Islington from 2009 to 2011.

After retirement, he returned to U of T and completed a PhD in Education at the age of 71. After Audrey died, Murray married Sheila (Jones/Turner) in 1992. He and Sheila travelled to 76 countries and they became immersed in genealogy, providing a wealth of material for generations to come. As an avid gardener, Murray maintained extensive gardens at his home in Etobicoke. Murray was a wonderful father and enjoyed regular family visits with his children, grandchildren and Sheila’s family.

His family is grateful for the kind support he received from the staff at Leaside Retirement Residence, and the medical professionals at Toronto East General Hospital.

Family will receive visitors at Turner & Porter Funeral Home, Neweduk Chapel, 1981 Dundas Street W, Mississauga, on September 1, 2018 at 10 a.m. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 11 a.m., followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, donations could be to The Daily Bread Food Bank or to The Lang Family Bursary Fund at McMaster University. Online condolences may be made through www.turnerporter.ca