Family, friends tell Albert Murray goodbye

Kind, hardworking, dedicated and skilled were just some of the many words used to describe the late Albert Percival Murray last Thursday at his thanksgiving service at Petersville Moravian Church in Westmoreland.

The church and the tent set up for mourners were filled to capacity as people from near and far turned out to support Murray's family and pay their last respects.

Tributes were aplenty and those who gave them said almost the same things. Retired police superintendent, Tom Levine, a ex-classmate of Murray, described him as an hard worker, who used his skill as a mason to contribute to community building, while building houses and graves for people in Petersville. Levine said Murray made a sterling contribution to church and his community.

St Claire Christopher Clarke, Murray's nephew, said his uncle helped to keep him out of trouble while he was growing up. He said the deceased was a strong disciplinarian who loved cricket and education.

VERY STRONG

For Reverend Phyllis Seymour, Murray was a quiet man, who was very strong. She was very happy to have led him to Christ and had baptised him.

"He talked a lot about his family, especially his children. He was a man who loved life and was always punctual for church," shared Reverend Seymour.

While doing the remembrance, Joan Murray-Brown and her twin sister, Julette, described their late father as a huge man with a strong voice. They added that he was an early riser who loved farming.

"He had no interest in material things; he loved to socialise and to have a drink; he loved his motorcycle and he loved cricket with a passion," recalled his daughters, who said he had an infectious smile.

They admitted he was a strong disciplinarian who never had to use the belt. The twin sisters said their father paid keen interest to the education of his children and loved when they were successful at schoolwork.

"Daddy was kind and quiet. He loved to lend persons things and loved when those who borrowed repaid," said Joan.

Delivering the eulogy, Paulette Patterson said Murray was the fourth of 11 children for his parents, Joshua Murray and Alice Farquharson. Patterson said Murray was a skilled mason who used his skills on numerous community projects.

Murray, who was born October 13, 1937, left behind eight children, three step-children, five brothers, four sisters and other relatives. Following the thanksgiving service, his body was laid to rest in the family plot at Petersville.

Feedback: pehenrya@hotmail.com