G. Murray Bradshaw

In Loving Memory of

G. Murray Bradshaw

1940 - 2015

Murray passed away peacefully at the Russell Health Centre on Sunday, February 1, 2015 at the age of 74 years after a courageous battle with heart disease and muscular dystrophy.

Left to mourn are, his wife of 48 years, Peggy Bradshaw of Binscarth, Manitoba; two sons Neil (Connie), granddaughters, Brook and Breanne of Brandon, Manitoba and Kevin (Candace), granddaughter Reagan and grandson Alex of Winnipeg, Manitoba; sisters Vivian (Cecil) Kennedy of Bassano, Alberta, Marlene (Dave) Jones of Prince George, BC ; brother Gary (Jamie) of Binscarth; also many nieces and nephews and many friends whose lives he touched during his life.

Murray was the third child of four born to Dorothy and Rex Bradshaw at Russell hospital on August 27, 1940. He grew up on the Bradshaw homestead, learning the importance of an honest days work, the appreciation of the land and how to recognize a good horse. He broke in his own horse at a very young age and in later years enjoyed picking winners at the racetrack.  He started school at Baldwin, a one-room school. He always liked to tell his sons and grandchildren how soft they had it compared to him, who had to walk to school through all kinds of weather, uphill both ways. He was a distance runner, and a member of 4-H, winning a trip to the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto but he couldn’t go because he had just started his first job after high school.

In  1961, Peggy Cooper was attracted to this good looking young man in a white ‘55 Chevy and they were married on November 5, 1966.

Murray worked for the Royal Bank in several locations in Manitoba.  He worked for Reichmuth’s Hardware, the Village of St. Lazare, RM of Boulton, then was the first CAO for the newly formed Pelly Trail School Division, and later for Manitoba Crop Insurance, a job  he enjoyed because of his love of the outdoors. But his favorite time was spent working his farm in the Assiniboine Valley. His love of nature fostered his passion for hunting, a past time he shared with his son Neil.

Murray enjoyed sports, curling, winning the North West Bonspiel with his childhood friend John Cook as his trusty third. Also baseball, which he coached at the minor level, fostering his values by always being positive and encouraging hard work, never giving up and to always be competitive He always said there was no sense playing if it was just for fun. Kevin loved the game.                     

Murray also coached a team of young men, hoping to make the Binscarth Orioles. They called themselves the Buzzards. Murray served on the executive of the Binscarth Orioles, was President of the Manitoba Senior Baseball League. He also coached a minor hockey team, the Wranglers, in Russell. He helped them come from a struggling team to a Provincial champ by helping them to believe that by hard work they could be winners. Through his involvement with young players he also helped mold their character and  made many  lasting friends. He was also a long-suffering Toronto Maple Leaf fan to the end.

He enjoyed a competitive game of crib or hearts and he could beat you at crokinole with his opposite hand and his eyes closed. He enjoyed a game of pool at the drop-in with friends. In retirement he enjoyed fishing with friends.

Although he didn’t express emotion often but he demonstrated his love by his actions, a truly selfless man dedicated to his family and so proud of his grandchildren. He was generous to a fault. He could be stubborn and independent, but that served him well as he dealt with his disability.

In the working world he was fair, honest and dedicated to his job, always wearing a suit and tie to work, and treated the School Division’s money as if it was his own, leaving a sizable surplus in the coffers when he retired. He also served on a Provincial committee to study school bus transportation.  Murray was a charter member of the Binscarth Lions Club.

Murray fought the good fight, he finished the race.

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