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W. MURRAY AULD
Born: Aug 16, 1916
Date of Passing: Sep 13, 2015
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryW. MURRAY AULD C.M., B.E. (Mechanical Engineer) Peacefully, on September 13, 2015, in Winnipeg, in his 100th year. Murray enjoyed a full life and made many contributions throughout a long career in the Canadian aerospace industry. Murray is missed by Isabel, his loving wife of nearly 73 years and by his children Nancy (Jack) Birt of Calgary, Alberta, Hedley (Megan McLeod) and Cathy (Ted McLachlan) of Winnipeg. He took great pride in his eight grandchildren: Murray (Sally), Graham (Nicole) and Duncan (Nicole) Birt; Fraser, Abigail and Gordon Auld; and Cameron and Sean McLachlan. Born August 16, 1916, in Regina, Saskatchewan, son of Lily Elizabeth and F. Hedley Auld, and brother to the late D. Gordon Auld (Willa) and Frank M. Auld (Peggy). Educated at Regina Central Collegiate and University of Saskatchewan, Murray's career began in 1940 in Winnipeg as a R.C.A.F. inspector. He then joined MacDonald Brothers Aircraft Co., originally a producer of seaplane floats under license from EDO Corporation of New York and a wartime builder of training aircraft. At age 26 he became general manager of its then 4,500-person plant at the Winnipeg airport. Murray remained for four decades a key member of the team that transformed and grew the firm into Bristol Aerospace Ltd., an industry leader in the development, production and export of high technology components and sophisticated systems, including the Black Brant range of rockets still used by NASA for upper atmosphere research. He served as President from 1967 to 1981, Deputy Chairman Rolls Royce Canada Ltd. 1981 to 1985, and a corporate director of Southport, Rolls Royce Canada, Telesat Canada and Great-West Life. Murray also led many professional and community organizations. He valued education, and strongly supported Isabel in her service as Chancellor of the University of Manitoba (1977 to 1986). Honours recognizing Murray's exceptional lifetime achievements include: the prestigious C.D. Howe Award and appointment as Honorary Fellow of the Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute, Honorary Life Member of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada and the Canadian Pioneer in Aviation Award of the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada. Murray's active citizenship was recognized in his investiture as a Member of the Order of Canada and as recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals. From his boyhood, Murray delighted in the special community of Victoria Beach. His St. James home was the only house he ever needed. He and Isabel enjoyed early spring in Victoria, BC and other travels after his retirement. Murray was a true gentleman and a gentle man. He enriched the lives of others through service and enduring friendships, and continues to inspire family, peers and his many friends through his exemplary personal qualities. The family recognizes the compassion, care and dedication of staff in the public health care system. Special appreciation to Murray's physicians, Dr. Orest Prodan and the Thorlakson twins at the Winnipeg Clinic, who enabled him to enjoy a long life of such high quality. A celebration of Murray's life will be held on Friday, October 2, 2015 at 2:30 p.m. in Westminster United Church, 745 Westminster Ave., Winnipeg, MB, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Isabel and Murray Auld Fund, the Winnipeg Foundation, www.wpgfdn.org/give to benefit his community; the Murray Auld Bursary, Faculty of Engineering, University of Manitoba; or a charity of your choice. Wojcik's Funeral Chapel, 2157 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB in care of arrangements 204.897.4665. For those who wish to sign Wojcik's online Guest Book please visit our website at www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 26, 2015
Condolences & Memories (13 entries)
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Met Murray in the 70s. I really liked him He was a kind person And my father's cousin Bert Auld - Posted by: shelagh auld (cousin of my father) on: Mar 01, 2016
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My thoughts go out to the family. I have known Mr. Auld since 1952.He was a warm and gentle man who always made you feel welcome.He was genuinely interested in others and what was happening in their lives.He will be missed. - Posted by: Nancy Lautermilch (Childhood Friend of Nancy Birt(Auld)) on: Oct 18, 2015
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Isabel, Hedley, Megan and family, We are thinking of you all and hoping you are keeping memories of Murray close in your hearts, and each other even closer. The things Murray did and experienced in his long life are surely a source of wonder to us all. Warmly, Lyle. Heather and Memory Arnold - Posted by: Lyle and Heather Arnould (Family friends) on: Oct 02, 2015
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A most interesting man! If there ever was someone who could make Aerospace engineering, its application and history the subject of a compelling conversation it was Murray Auld. He lived a long and productive life and will be missed by family, friends and colleagues. Condolences to Isabel and their family! - Posted by: David Lloyd (Distant relative) on: Sep 30, 2015
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Dear Cathy, Ted, Sean and Cameron, I am very sorry for your loss. Your Father/Father-in-law and grandfather was a remarkable man. He had a beautiful gift of a very long life and it sounds like he made the most of it. Please extend my deepest sympathy to your Mother and other members of your family. Isle - Posted by: Isle Slotin (Camp Waterfall friend) on: Sep 29, 2015
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I am sending my condolences to the Auld family. It seems that all who met Murray, genuinely liked this man. If his daughter, Nancy and some his grandchildren, Murray, Graham, and Abby, whom I have met, are an example of his influence......WOW, what a wonderful man! He has left a legacy to be proud of. Sincerely, Beverly Topping. - Posted by: Beverly Topping (Friend of Nancy Birt, nee Auld) on: Sep 29, 2015
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My condolences Isabel and family!! It was such an honor to have known both of you very special people. Thank you to my Dad and Mom for introducing us so many years ago. I know both of them thought very highly of both of you. As I do too. I hope, Isabel, we can meet up again at another Islendingadagurinn or some other Icelandic celebration in Gimli. Regards....Gwen Kalansky (and Keith Sigmundson) - Posted by: gwen kalansky (friend) on: Sep 28, 2015
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My deepest condolences to the Auld family and close friends. May God be with you at this difficult time! - Posted by: ANGELE GUERARD (CO-WORKER AT CN) on: Sep 28, 2015
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Murray was one of the most honorable men whom I have ever known. He was gracious and supportive of those who followed him their chosen professional field. - Posted by: Carol & Gene Barbee, Pinehurst, NC (Friends) on: Sep 27, 2015
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I would like to relay my condolences to somebody I had most respect for when he came into the NRC building on Vaughn and Ellice St. for board meetings in the eighties. He had told us the story of you leaving for Australia, and had to carry your suitcases on a sleigh to take a taxi for the airport. And you made it. Mr. Auld was a very nice man and a gentleman. I used to work for Moe Barakat who was my boss in the Robotics section of NRC. I remember ordering many lunches for their Board meetings. He certainly had a long life. I used to be in my fifties then. - Posted by: Denise Gareau (work in National Research Council in the 80's) on: Sep 26, 2015
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Please accept our deepest sympathies, Isabel, for the loss of your husband, Murray. He was a gentle, exceptional person and we are pleased and honoured to have met him. We should add that it is also a pleasure and honour to know you. Our thoughts are with you. - Posted by: Étienne and Claire Gaboury (friend) on: Sep 26, 2015
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Mr. Auld was a man who touched the lives of all he came into contact with and left an impression. I worked at Bristol for 28 years and always appreciated his fairness and honesty when dealing with his employees. On a personal note, my father Fred Pratt also worked at Bristol for 36 years and always spoke very highly of Mr. Auld. He told me on many occasions that Murray was a good man to use as an example of how to conduct yourself in life. Condolences to Mrs. Auld and her family from the family of the late Fred and Mabel Pratt. - Posted by: Diane Pratt (Former Bristol employee) on: Sep 26, 2015
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Our condolences to the entire Auld family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Barb & George Custance - Posted by: Barbara and George Custance (school friends of Hedley) on: Sep 26, 2015
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