Obituary of Bryan Clarence Murray

Proud and caring Father.

Devoted Grandfather.

Prince Charming to his Snow White.

Son, brother, uncle, coach, teacher, mentor, neighbour, friend.

Bryan left the Ottawa Valley for a time but the Valley never left him. Growing up in a large family in a small town shaped him - hard working, caring, unassuming, loyal, honest and generous to a fault. There are countless stories of his donations of time and fundraising items for various worthy causes, many of which never made the news. This was done out of genuine concern for others, not for personal glory or public recognition.

Encouragement and wisdom, sometimes delivered in four letter words and always with great wit, left no doubt where you stood with Bryan. He had a knack for telling it like it is. Anyone sensitive to sarcasm was well advised to wear protective covering, including helmet and jock strap.

Despite rubbing elbows with famous people, Bryan never let life in the public eye swell his head. He remained humble and kind – well except for that one incident in 2007 when he stood on the boards and exchanged expletives with Lindy Ruff.

Bryan was equally at ease in the Chateau Frontenac or the Ladysmith Hotel. He was extremely thankful for a career in hockey that wasn’t a job but a way of life that allowed him to do what he loved for many decades. If you ever watched Bryan watching hockey (animated and hilarious) you’ve witnessed just how much he loved the game.

Survived, loved and always remembered by his wife, Geri (née Sutton), daughters Heide (Don Browning) and Brittany (Joe Grubb), and granddaughters Emma and Addie, all of Colorado.

Also survived by brothers Laird (Ellen and the late Sheila), Barrie (Sandra), Bill (Ann) and Terry (Linda), sisters Darleen (Bert), Lorraine (Basil), Laurie (Jerry), Karen (Terry) and Kim (Mike), brothers-in-law Don Sutton (Patricia), late Peter, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, plus extended families.

Predeceased by his parents, Clarence in 2005 and Rhoda (née Schwartz) in 2013.

Celebrating a life well lived, Bryan’s passions were family and hockey and a little Willie Nelson thrown in.

Cremation has taken place. A Funeral Service for family and friends will be held in Shawville United Church, 410 Main St., Shawville, Quebec on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, August 24, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at Canadian Tire Centre, 1000 Palladium Dr, Ottawa. We encourage family, friends, colleagues and the public to attend to honour Bryan’s legacy. Please enter via the Gate 2 entrance.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Make a Wish Foundation, Shawville Recreation Association, DEBRA Canada (in honour of Jonathan Pitre), Jardins Éducatif du Pontiac or the charity of your choice would be appreciated.

“I hope I’m remembered as a pretty good hockey guy who was a good person.”

We encourage those from the greater hockey community to attend the memorial at the Canadian Tire Centre.