Murray Fredrick Harrison
August 4, 1932 – July 1, 2013
Murray’s journey began in Herbert, Sask. August 4, 1932, his childhood and first school was in the Pony Butte School District near Gouldtown, on a farm, where he would have learned firsthand about raising cattle. The family moved from the farm to town where he spent his school years, graduating from Herbert High in 1952. With his love of sports, he had competed in Track and Field holding an unbroken record for many years. He took his trades training with Saskatchewan Power Corporation; becoming a Journeyman Gas Fitter … he was the “gas man” for the next 24 years in Herbert Ernfold Hodgeville district becoming Foreman of SW Saskatchewan out of Swift Current in 1983. After his retirement he spent four seasons as Gas Inspector for Cochrane Lavalin on the Rural Gas Installation Program in northern Sask. Murray married Merle Fonger July 5, 1958, they lived in Swift Current coming to Herbert in August, 1959, building a small home, raising their family, Tom, born in 1959 and Terry, born in 1963, and being part of the activities in a small town. An avid outdoorsman, he hunted and fished all his life. Murray played both baseball and softball, in 1964 he coached the Herbert Ball Club representing the south west. His memberships included the Volunteer Fire Brigade, Curling Club executive, Town Councillor, Past Master of the Masonic Lodge, Life Member of the Lion’s Club, Trustee of the Herbert United Church, and his commitment to the environment with the Prairie Stewardship program showed in the preservation of natural native grasses on their land which they began farming in 1973. They purchased 68 acres in 1978, built a new home, spending the next twenty years living a full and busy life, known as a central point for gathering of families and friends from near and far and providing memories for their children and grandchildren, their many camping experiences were from a tent to a motorhome, in later years they added flights to their travels. His cattle and poultry were treated like “pets” and the orchard he began grew and grew. Building his red barn was an achievement from concept to completion. When they located to Saskatoon in 2001 they had the full time involvement with his older grandkids, Jori (1988) and Jesse (1990), time with sister Pat and family, friendships old and new, Grace Westminster, 20 minutes to the airport for daughter time in Victoria, pleasure with her planned salmon fishing trips. With grandchild Kaitlyn’s (2001) arrival, he would fly kites, watch her play hockey and show her speckled park calf at 4H. His love of cattle was sustaining for him when he could go to see the baby calves every spring, now combined with his son’s herd. Murray’s connection to the Renal Centre began in 2001 when his life became dependent on kidney dialysis, made easier for him by the best nurses and doctors ever right until the end, then finally allowing the disease to end his life’s journey on July 1, 2013 at St. Paul’s Hospital. Predeceased by his parents, Cecil & Pearl (Light) Harrison; brothers, Fred, Gordon (Eileen); sisters, Irene (Alfred) Runquist, Vera (Roscoe) Roberts, Gwen (Cecil) Adams; brother-in-law, Al Harrison; nephews, Jim Runquist & Murray Roberts. Murray knew the devotion and love of his wife, Merle; his son, Tom (Tracy); grandchildren, Jori (Shawn), Jesse, Kaitlyn; his daughter, Terry (Sandra); stepgrands, Conor, Allie, Seamus; brothers, Bob (Lorene), Dick; and sister, Pat and twenty nephews and nieces, their spouses and descendants and a special mom Karen (Bart). Many cousins both in Canada and England will warmly remember him. Merle’s brothers George and Jerry (Glady) predeceased him, their families, while small in numbers, will also remember times spent with him. The Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 19th at Grace Westminster United Church (505-10th Street East). Arrangements in care of Matthew Kozak - MOURNING GLORY FUNERAL SERVICES, Saskatoon, SK (306-978-5200) www.mourningglory.ca