Died as he lived, with courage and dignity, on July 08, 2003 after 93 wonderful years of sharing and giving and generally “showing the way”, leading by example.
He was greatly loved and will be sadly missed by his daughter, Kim Collett (Wayne) and his son, John Maclachlan (Maureen), his grandchildren, Elisabeth and Meghan Collett and Darren and Lindsay Maclachlan, who adored him, and 7 nieces and nephews, as well as his numerous friends in Chilliwack and at The Summerhill in North Vancouver, where he has lived independently near his family for the past 2 years.
His positive outlook, gentle wit, quiet wisdom, warmth and sense of fairness, justice and equality quickly found him lasting friends and respect throughout his life.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Ann, in 1993, his brother Bob and his sister Margaret (Linzey).
A long time Fraser Valley resident, Murdo was born in Manitoba March 22, 1910 and moved to Chilliwack with his family in 1925. He was well known from teaching school and for his years with radio station CHWK but he will long be remembered for his countless hours of community service and dedication to helping his fellow citizens. Through his 75 years of committed involvement and leadership with community organizations, his life made a difference to the lives of countless others.
He was actively involved in Rotary (a Paul Harris Fellow), Kinsmen, Chilliwack United Church, the Chamber of Commerce, the Legion, the Flying Club and Chilliwack Community Services, which he was instrumental in organizing and developing and continuously supported in many ways.
His civic participation included a decade as area Civil Defense Coordinator including the Flood of ‘48, 10 years on the Hospital Board, the Chilliwack City Planning Commission, Director of RRAP and RIP, Agriscope, COMPASS planning for the elderly, and Seniors’ representative for the Community Health Council. His committed involvement was both provincial and national as well, where he helped to start the BCTF, the broadcasting program at BCIT, and Fraser Valley College. He contributed broadly to the ethics and conduct of national broadcasting on the executive of the Board of Broadcast Governors. His war effort was as a Flight Lieutenant with the RCAF as navigational instructor. Murdo’s life made a difference to the lives of countless others. He was Chilliwack’s Citizen of the Year in 1967.
The family wants to thank the wonderful doctors, nurses and staff at Lion’s Gate Hospital Palliative Care ward for their gentle care over the past six weeks.
A memorial service for Murdo and a celebration of his life will be held at Henderson’s Funeral Home, corner of Victoria and College, in Chilliwack on Saturday, the 19th of July 2003 at 1:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Chilliwack Community Services Society, 45938 Wellington, Chilliwack, V2P 2C7.