Murray David Smart

Passed away in the late evening of Thursday, May 26, 2022 in his 66th year at Victoria Hospital in London, Ontario with his wife and constant companion, Marilyn, by his side.  Dear brother of Judy and uncle of Nolan of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.  He is predeceased by parents Stanley (1956) and Audrey (2014).

Murray grew up in Owen Sound with his mom and sister, after his father was tragically killed near their Markdale area farm while moving farm equipment in December 1956.  Murray maintained strong ties to Owen Sound and Grey Bruce throughout his adult life.

Murray attended West Hill Secondary School, and was a graduate of Georgian College in the area of Business Administration.

Murray’s dream was to be a conservation officer, but sadly he did not qualify due to physical limitations.  Instead, Murray had an eclectic employment history, all while maintaining his enterprise of small business accounting for a small stable of clients.  His brief tenure as an insurance broker resulted in him falling in love with the voice of his underwriter, and the love of his life, Marilyn.  During one of their many phone conversations he referred to “the warden” he lived with, and confusion ensued.  Somehow the voice determined that he was actually single!  When Murray discovered the advanced age of the mother of said voice, he delicately questioned his future wife as to her exact age.  After what we can only assume was a satisfactory answer, a whirlwind courtship and a 30-year marriage followed.

Murray volunteered extensively over the years with various organizations including the Sydenham Sportsmen, Grey Bruce Children’s Water Festival, and Grey Bruce Forest Festival.  He was instrumental in the founding of the Sydenham Conservation Foundation, a registered charity devoted to conservation related projects including the acquisition of land to preserve for the public to access natural areas.

Travel was Murray’s passion and he organized everything down to the last detail – they were more journeys than vacations.  There were repeated visits to many destinations including his favourites of Alaska, Hawaii, most National Parks in the Western half of the U.S.A., as well as trips to Egypt, Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, and throughout Canada.  He enjoyed putting his wife in danger as often as possible.  When she became surrounded by a herd of elk in Yellowstone in the dark, he could hardly contain his glee after the fact.  And that wasn’t even his doing! Good thing it was the herd’s idea.   Inadvertently (we think) getting his wife to breach security at the Prime Minister’s residence on the Rideau Hall grounds was another incident he enjoyed greatly.  Trip incidents were expected, dreaded and cherished in equal parts.

There will be no funeral service, but we would ask that, in Murray’s memory, you take the opportunity to get out and enjoy nature with your loved ones, and your thoughts and good memories of Murray.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Sydenham Conservation Foundation, Lupus Canada, or the charity of your choice would be appreciated.