Murray Thomas was born to parents Robert and Murle (Scott) Cann on March 14, 1930 in Chesley. Murray was followed by Betty and Ken. The Cann family lived in Chesley, and Murray attended Chesley Public School. His father owned a trucking business, and he sold it to the Chesley Co-op. When he sold it, hiring Murray was part of the deal. Once he was old enough, he started driving the feed and cattle trucks. On Friday nights and Saturdays, Murray worked for Beckenhauer’s Garage in Elmwood.
Murray had many friends, and one of those friends was Ralph Bailey. Ralph had a cousin by the name of Audrey Bailey, and Ralph introduced them to each other. By coincidence, Audrey worked as a bank teller in Hanover of whom Murray was also a customer. Acquaintance turned into fondness and flourished into love and they were married in 1953. As newlyweds, Murray and Audrey moved into a farmhouse outside of Elmwood, and they welcomed their first son Ricky in 1954, followed by Ronald in 1957, and Daniel in 1961 to make the family complete.
Murray’s father purchased a house in Chesley on 5th Ave S.W., and Murray and Audrey bought it and moved into town. Murray, Audrey and the boys spent many weekends camping in a tent in Sauble Beach, and swimming. They took a road trip in 1970 in their 1960 Chevrolet and almost made it to Vancouver. The car broke down on the way back home in Regina, and thankfully Murray knew how to fix cars, and he was able to solve the problem. However, what they did not realize at the time was that it was against the law to work on a car on Sundays in Regina. Thankfully he was able to fix it before anyone saw them!
Murray was an avid hunter, especially deer, and enjoyed rifle season each year. He loved snowmobiling and was a founding member of the Chesley Easy Riders Snowmobile Club. Murray would work on the snowmobiles all week, and then run them each weekend, and repeat each week. He was always tinkering and working on something, whether that was his cars or his snowmobile. Murray owned a 1976 Honda CB400 and also enjoyed fishing. He liked watching the Toronto Blue Jays and listening to bluegrass and country. Murray, in the past, enjoyed a good glass of whiskey with Creme de Menthe and milk. More recently, coffee and a cold glass of milk were his go to drinks. While not for everyone, Murray loved hotdogs with jam, head cheese, pickled pigs feet, and morels and puff balls. Murray took a lot of pride in his home, especially his vegetable garden.
Murray was gentle, kind, loving, and loved his family more than anything in the world. He was very knowledgeable and was always willing to pass that knowledge on. Murray was hardworking and passed that down to his children. His health started to decline and was moved to Brucelea Haven in 2021. Murray passed away at Brucelea Haven, Walkerton on Thursday, July 18, 2024, in his 95th year.
Loving father of Rick (Leslie) of Delhi, and Dan of Hanover, and father-in-law of Vania of Toronto. Cherished grandfather of Jason, Nathan, Andrea, Ashley, Samantha-Marie, and Matthew, and great-grandfather of Marley, Sadie, Theoden, Rhëal and Damian. Murray was predeceased by his wife Audrey, his son Ron, his daughter-in-law Catherine, his sister Betty (Robert) Buchanan, his brother Kenneth (Bonita) Cann and his parents Robert and Murle (Scott) Cann.
Visitation will be held at Rhody Family Funeral Home, Chesley, on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, from 6 – 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at 2 p.m. Interment in Chesley Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Brucelea Haven Activation Fund would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
My Deepest Condolences on Murrays passing. Sending prayers to the family.
rick was one of my best friends from high school and after, and his parents always welcomed me into the family.
when murray’s family outgrew the space in their home, he added a grand addition to their house. this was one of the coolest spaces rick, ron and their cohort (me among them) could hang out in in early adolescence, and we were always welcome. murray would be in his kitchen chair with audrey, seemingly oblivious to us kids enjoying this provenance.
we called murray ‘the bear’ for his gruff exterior to us kids, i remember him fondly.
bill halpin
Sorry to hear of Murray’s passing. Our thoughts & prayers are with all of the family. Hold on to all of your wonderful memories.
To Rick, Dan, and the entire family, I am sorry for your loss. May your treasured memories comfort you at this time. Please accept my deepest condolences.
Sorry to read of Murray’s passing.
Our thoughts are with you.
I only knew of Murray in his later years. He was rough around the edges, but you could tell in his core there was still love for life and his family.
It was a pleasure to have met him. To his family I offer my condolences.
Sending you all a big hug during this most difficult time may he rest in peace and may God comfort all who mourn.
My Deepest Condolences to the Cann Family for their loss.
Filomena Tumiotto
Our Deepest Sympathy and Condolences to all the Cann family at this time for their loss.
The Tumiotto’s
Our condolences to all families.
My deepest sympathy to you and your family Dan.
My Dad, was your Dad’s first cousin. Am very sorry to hear of your loss.
To the Cann family my condolences on Murrays passing. RIP.
My Deepest Sympathy to all the Families at this time
My heartfelt condolences on MT’s passing. I have many fond memories of playing hockey on the backyard rink.
My deepest sympathy to your family at this time of loss. Murray was a great fellow with a ton of stories and a great sense of humour. May God comfort you at this time…
Very sorry to hear of Murray’s passing. We have many fond and special memories of the Cann family.