It is with broken hearts that we announce in the late afternoon of Friday, March 13, 2015 our beloved father Murray Ward, peacefully left on his final journey with his loving daughters by his side.
Murray was born on October 6, 1925 in Port Arthur, Ontario. He met the love of his life Lillian and they enjoyed 56 years of marriage on their farm in McIntyre Township with their four daughters. He was a devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather and friend.
He was a hardworking, proud man. He spent as many hours working on the farm as he did at Richardson Elevator as a general foreman. His career in the elevators in Port Arthur spanned 40+ years. In his younger years, he manned a fire tower in the Red Rock area and anything that came his way. He was a real go getter.
His early years were as a chicken farmer, delivering eggs in the winter on a toboggan pulled by the family dog, Ranger. As he collected sheep, horses, cows, ducks, geese and goats, he realized he needed a bigger Ponderosa.
The farmstead was bought on John Street Road backing on to Rabbit Mountain. He then became known as the Mountain Man which he is still known as across the waterfront. His daughters’ love for horses resulted in a big new barn and fenced in pastures running up to the mountain. Slowly the horses moved out and the barn was renovated to accommodate sheep, pigs, rabbits and pigeons. The yard was filled with baby pigs running around, geese with their babies, ducks, chickens and rabbits.
He was into free range before free range was cool.
In the 60s’, Mom and Dad took on the responsibility of the Ontario Humane Society’s first shelter.
There were no shortage of dogs (some with three legs), cats and horses. We tried hard to find a home for everybody, keeping some of them for an extended period of time. Also, he worked on the mountain select cutting big timber and hauling it out with workhorses driven by his daughters. He was an active member of the CLE, Murillo and Hymers Country Fairs.
In his later years, he enjoyed volunteering at St. Joseph’s Hospital. When asked what he did during his time spent volunteering, he said “I talk to the people who no one else talks too”. He was kind hearted, a good provider and happiest on the farm with his family.
A heartfelt thank you to the nurses and staff of St. Joseph’s Hospice for the kindness and care our family received.
Murray will be sadly missed by his four daughters Catherine (Dave) Lewis, Darlene (Don) Herman, Sheila (Bruce) Koivuranta and Colleen (Jouni) Aksela, two granddaughters Tara (Mitch) and their children Cohen and Jai and Kelley( Brent) and their children Freya and Vivie, his brother Cecil (Heather) Ward, sister-in-laws Janee Ward and Isabel Jeffrey as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Murray was predeceased by his wife Lillian (February 10, 2001) and his brothers Clayton, Art and Richard.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2015 in the Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre, 499 North Cumberland Street officiated by Rev. Gordon Holroyd of St. George’s Anglican Church. Visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph’s Hospital – Hospice Unit.
“We will miss you Dad with all of our hearts”
