W. Murray Auld
Husband, father, grandfather, business executive, mentor. Born on Aug. 16, 1916, in Regina; died on Sept. 13, 2015, in Winnipeg, of natural causes, aged 99.
In a life that spanned nearly a century, Murray Auld mastered many things. Growing up in Regina, the middle of three sons, he was the conciliator, thoughtful about the needs of others, curious about people and the natural world. He was blessed with an attention to detail, not only in his work but also in his relationships. When he met you, he engaged fully with you, wanting to know how you were doing, what you were reading, what your plans were.
After earning his engineering degree from the University of Saskatchewan, his career began in 1940 as an RCAF inspector in Winnipeg at MacDonald Brothers Aircraft, which built training planes and seaplane floats. At 26, he became general manager of its plant of 4,500 employees. For the next 45 years he was a key player in helping the company to diversify and expand to become Bristol Aerospace. He served as its president from 1967 to 1981, and was a corporate director for companies such as Rolls-Royce Canada and Great-West Life, as well as a trustee of Westminster United Church and other charities.
Murray embraced and championed community service. He valued education, devoting time to improving skilled technical training across Canada. And he actively supported Isabel, his wife of 72 years, in her role as chancellor of the University of Manitoba. His strong sense of citizenship was honoured in 1989, when he was invested as a member of the Order of Canada.
Beyond his public profile, however, Murray was always a nine-year-old boy at heart. He delighted in family road trips and visiting Expo 67 in Montreal; witnessing rocket launches, including at Cape Canaveral, Fla.; and attending air shows in Paris and Farnborough, England.
He cherished the everyday, chronicling his three children (Nancy, Hedley and Cathy) and eight grandchildren in home movies; welcoming another spring by planting trees, window-box red geraniums and yellow dahlias; dining out at Rae & Jerry's Steak House in Winnipeg; relishing triple desserts.
It seemed that Murray almost single-handedly kept Eaton's afloat; everything for the home, from clothing to appliances, came from that store. And he was an early adopter of two of the three "Rs" – reuse and recycle. The family cottage, at Victoria Beach on Lake Winnipeg, boasts bicycles and plumbing dating to the 1920s, coaxed into continuing service though endless repair and optimism.
He did not dwell on his age, though he kept every birthday card he ever received as a way to celebrate friendships and family. For years, the same card passed back and forth between Murray and his younger brother, Frank, cheekily saving them time and money.
Murray was optimistic, a "glass three-quarters full" kind of guy. He epitomized health, celebrating capacity rather than focusing on deficits. In his 80s he was still speed skating, in his father's leather skates. He tried roller blading and using a sailboard. Well into his 90s, to the dismay of family and neighbours, he was still climbing ladders. His driver's licence was a prized possession.
On a resplendent warm autumn day, he got his wish, slipping away in his sleep. We who shared his life have our wishes fulfilled, too, for Murray's simple ideals are strong enough to endure.
Cathy Auld is Murray's daughter.