It is with much sadness that the family announces the passing of Murray on July 1, Canada Day, peacefully at home. He passed away 18 months after being diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme.

Murray was born in Kodaikanal, India, and grew up in Seattle, WA and Fresno, CA. As Murray was graduating from high school, he moved with the family to Winnipeg, MB. It was there that he studied philosophy at university and completed his medical degree. Murray decided to pursue a specialty in Internal Medicine, and together with Linda, moved to Toronto. During his residency at U of T, he became interested in the field of medical decision making. He followed his Internal Medicine training with a degree in clinical epidemiology and a year long clinical fellowship in medical decision making in Boston.

Murray’s career filled him with immense joy and gave meaning to his life. He loved caring for his patients as a staff physician at TGH, as well as mentoring and training the medical residents and clerks that he worked with on medical teams. He also had a passion for research, especially when working together with others. He helped found the Toronto Health Economics and Technology Assessment (THETA) Collaborative and was director there for 13 years. In both the clinical community and the research community, here in Canada and internationally, Murray treasured his friendships and collaborations with colleagues and students.

The last chapter of Murray’s life, following his diagnosis, was also filled with goodness. He enjoyed things that gave him pleasure outside of work: growing vegetables in his garden, becoming an inventive and talented baker of bread, taking photographs in nature, hiking, going for runs with the dog. He and Linda travelled to Alberta, BC, and Quebec, and he was overjoyed to walk his daughter down the aisle in the fall.

Murray lived a wonderful, rich life, and he made the lives of others richer.

The family was overwhelmed by the kindness and support of the many people that walked with Murray throughout his illness and gave him strength and comfort. We would like to thank the amazing medical teams at PMH, TWH, and TGH. Murray was cared for compassionately and faithfully by the palliative care team and the PSWs who came to our home daily. We were also lovingly carried by our extended family, by our pastor, by colleagues, friends and neighbours, who delivered food, flowers, and packages, walked the dog, shovelled the driveway, sent emails, texts, and came to visit. Thank you to you all.

Murray is survived by his best friend, his wife Linda, and his children, who were the lights of his life and his inspiration: Thomas and Kristi, Philippa and James, and Harry. He is lovingly remembered and will be forever missed by his sister and brother and his in-laws and their families: Val and Stew, Stan, Betty and Christian, Ruth, and Kathie and Dave.

A memorial service will be held for Murray on Saturday, July 16th at 1 p.m. Kingsway Baptist Church, 41 Birchview Blvd., Etobicoke (one block west of the Royal York Subway Station). Everyone is welcome, please dress casually. The service will also be livestreamed. Please check the Turner and Porter website 24 hours prior to the service for the link. Refreshments will be served following the service. If you would like to make a donation in Murray’s honour, please give to MCC Canada—Ukraine Emergency Response.
https://donate.mcccanada.ca/