Obituary of Murray Black

BLACK - Murray Black, beloved husband of Verla of Yorkton died January 18, 2016 at The Yorkton Regional Health Centre surrounded by his family. Murray was born in Deloraine, Man. on March 25, 1929 the third child and only son of Harold and Annie (Longman) Black. He attended Coxworth School and took his high school at a boarding school in Teulon, Manitoba. After graduation he held various jobs - school teacher, brakeman on the CPR, and several others - all the while helping his father on the farm. As a young man he studied the electrical code and wired the farm. As rural electrification spread in southern Manitoba he worked for an electrical contractor bringing lights and power to farms. This was the start of his career as an electrician. In 1953 he met and married Verla Ames of Elgin, Manitoba. For several years they farmed in the summer and lived in Brandon in the winter where Murray worked for an electrical contractor and earned his Journeyman Status. Their son Grant was born in Deloraine in 1957. In 1958 Murray started working for Saskatchewan Power at Boundary Dam. The farm was sold, the young family moved to Estevan and then on to Regina and finally Yorkton, which has been home since 1962. They adopted their daughter Lana in 1964 and the family was complete. Murray had a curious mind and loved to travel and explore. Verla and Murray took many trips and bus tours travelling to Germany to visit their daughter when she lived there, Ireland, Mexico, Hawaii, Texas, Alaska and The Maritimes. The most memorable trip was a two-week cruise with family through the Panama Canal to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. They enjoyed many summers at their cabin at Clear Lake visiting with friends, attending dances at the barn at Onanole, hiking and entertaining family. Murray was an everyman. He had a great sense of humour, loved following the news, skewering politicians and debating their policies. He enjoyed fishing and boating, gardening, long games of Queens, cross-country and downhill skiing, golf, watching hockey, curling and football games, and coffee with the SPC superannuates and friends. He was a hard-working and dedicated employee and was a handyman who could repair almost anything. He often helped friends and neighbours pour concrete, wire lights or build a fence. He is survived by his wife of 62 years Verla, son Grant (Lee Ann), daughter Lana (Shane) sisters Joyce Coxworth and Barb (Bill) Paley, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Nola and Larry Meggison, sister-in-law Geraldine Ames, cousin Joan Hull of Northern Ireland and many nieces, nephews and friends. The funeral service was held on Thursday, January 21st 2016 at Westview United Church, Yorkton with Rev. Jen Dresser officiating. Murray's son Grant gave the eulogy. Organist, Laurene Jemieff led members of the church choir and the congregation in the singing of the hymns: 'In the Quiet Curve of Evening', 'In the Garden', 'Jesus, You Have Come to the Lakeshore', and 'We Shall Go Out With Hope of Resurrection'. The interment took place in the Yorkton Memorial Gardens, Memories Columbarium. Condolences can be left at baileysfuneralhome.com Service Information Thursday, January 21st, 2016 2:00pm, Westview United Church Interment Details Yorkton Memorial Gardens