J. MURRAY GUINN

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J. MURRAY GUINN On Friday, December 2, 2011, J. Murray Guinn, passed away at the Douglas Campbell Lodge, Portage la Prairie, MB at the age of 92 years. Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 12, 2011 at Trinity United Church, Portage la Prairie at 1:30 p.m. with interment to follow at Hillside Cemetery Murray was born January 2, 1919 in Neepawa, Manitoba, the second of three children and the only son of Edward James and Bertha (Ennis). Murray was predeceased by his first wife Marie (Kitson), his eldest sister Ruth (Owens) and his niece Brenda Wilkinson (McLachlan). Murray is survived by his wife Norma Guinn, his sister Dorothy (McLachlan), his son Terry, daughter Cynthia Yablonowski (Ken) and grandchildren, Ennis Yamaguchi Jones (Nobue), Ryan Jones, Jennifer Yablonowski; son Rodger (Marion), grandchildren, Olivia Guinn, Ted Guinn (Rebecca Austman), Ryan Merner (Brentlee Strijack), Meagan Merner, great-grandchildren, Liam Guinn, Julianna Guinn; son Clark (Debbie), grandchildren, Jaclyn (Lowell May), Craig (Tammy) and great-grandchildren, Donovan, Jessica, Brittney; son Brent (Shirley) and grandchildren, Aaron, Tara, Ashley; daughter Diana (David Miller), grandchildren, Dave Miller (Penny Calvin), Kori Nightingale (Stephen) and great-grandchildren, Levi and Nate Nightingale. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Gene Kramarchuk, brother-in-law Dennis Kitson (Hope) and 13 nieces and nephews. Murray held a special place in his heart for his five McLachlan nieces and his nephew Kent Owens. Murray also leaves behind Norma's family; Nancy Creighton (Stan Wijas), Linda Bell (Ray Black) and Leslie Bell, as well as six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Aside from his service overseas in the Second World War, Murray lived his entire life in Portage, the town he loved very much. Upon returning to Portage following his discharge in 1946, he joined the family business of Guinn Simpson and continued there until his retirement and transfer of ownership to his son Clark in 1990. Murray was extremely proud to see the business continue in the family and in 2005 the Manitoba Historical Society recognized Guinn Simpson with a 100 year recognition award. Murray married Marie Kitson in 1947 and together they raised six children in the then bustling east end neighbourhood of Portage. Summertime at Delta Beach was a special time for all the kids and their cousins. Murray was a wonderful father and each of his children knew that they had their own unique relationship with him. His wife Marie passed away in 1991. Murray and Norma were married in 1992. Murray served his community. He was a life member of over 73 years and former President of the Portage Lions Club, member of the Portage Elks Club, the Masons, and in later years with Norma, was an active member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Murray also was an executive member of the Stroke Recovery Association of Manitoba. Murray was also a longtime member of Trinity United Church. Murray had an inquisitive mind; he valued and encouraged education, he had a diverse range of interests and some firmly held preferences. He was a proud Canadian, a staunch Liberal, a hockey fan (decidedly Montreal) and a football enthusiast (Saskatchewan and Indianapolis). He enjoyed nothing better than an evening of dancing at the Elks Hall, singing out loud to tunes by Tom Jones, Nat King Cole and Reba McIntyre or reciting poetry with his daughters, Cynthia and Di. He and Norma enjoyed travelling and connecting with distant friends and family but he always looked forward to returning home to Portage. Murray was one of the good guys and he will be missed. The family would like to express our sincere appreciation to the staff at the Portage and District Hospital and at Douglas Campbell Lodge for their care and attention to Murray over these last few months. In remembrance and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pulford Community Living Services Inc., Unit 5-1146 Waverley St., Winnipeg, MB R3T 0P4 or to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, 120 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB. We Shall Meet on That Beautiful Shore A tribute DVD in memory of Murray will be produced by the Omega Funeral Home, condolences may be sent to the family in care of Omega Funeral Home, 83 Royal Road South, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 1T8, 1-800-303-4621 or friends may leave a message of sympathy on our website www.omegafuneralhome.com. Dedicated to those we serve.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 10, 2011