Walter "Alec" Murray

He is survived by his loving partner Sharon Levy-Hardaker and her children and grandchildren. He is the cherished father of his four children Susan Andrea Murray, Kim Alexander Murray, Dawn Elizabeth Prus (née Murray), and Becky Lynn Morison (née Murray). He will be missed by sons-in-law Gordon Morison and Daniel Prus and daughter-in-law Bette Murray (née Lott). He is also survived by his sister Anne Dowson and her husband David, and sisters-in-law Sally Pilgrim and Lynn Gapes. He will be sorely missed by his grandchildren Jessica Spears, Evyn Prus, Rachel and Mackenzie Morison, and Colleen and Shannon Murray, and by great granddaughter Leah Gilgeours.

He is predeceased by parents Alexander Murray, who immigrated to Canada from the Scottish Town of East Kilbride, and Margaret Corman of Stoney Creek. Alec was born during the great depression on June 10, 1933 and grew up in Hamilton, Ontario.

Alec had an extraordinary life. As a young man he loved being a Sea Cadet and playing the bagpipes. After finishing school, he worked with his father at the family owned gas station before joining Monarch Construction as their Sales Manager at the age of 29.

In 1963 Alec obtained his real estate brokers licence and with great help from his wife Ruth they founded Alec Murray Real Estate Ltd. At the time they had four young children, no money, and no credit. By the 1990’s Alec Murray Real Estate had grown to become the largest independent real estate brokerage in all of Ontario and one of the largest in Canada. He was one of the first brokers to hire and promote female realtors. In a 1984 Hamilton Spectator interview he stated, “About 80 percent of my staff are women, employing them has been part of my success”.

Even today, many Hamiltonians know the name Alec Murray. As a lifelong Hamiltonian, he was a great advocate for his city. Even this year in quarantine, he loved reading books about his hometown.

Alec rose within the industry to become President of the Ontario Real Estate Association. As Director of the Canadian Real Estate Association, he and Ruth travelled throughout Canada and the world through organized real estate conventions.

Although he eventually lost, as a political novice Alec was asked by Premier Bill Davis to run for MP in the 1981 election in Hamilton against Official Opposition leader Dr. Stuart Smith.

Philanthropy played a large role in his life as a donor/fundraiser for numerous charities. Most notably, St. Joseph’s Hospital, the Arthritis Society, the Art Gallery of Hamilton, and Ducks Unlimited Canada.

Alec enjoyed boating, swimming, fishing, and trap shooting, and spent time with family and friends on Lake Rosseau, Qualicum Beach, Florida, and Vancouver Island. Most of all in later years, he enjoyed spending time with his beloved grandchildren and taking great pride in their many accomplishments.

This quote sums up our father, grandfather, spouse and partner who was a larger than life character: “I like excitement; the only way you can play life safe is do to nothing.”

In lieu of flowers, the family will appreciate donations to The Alzheimer Society of Canada (as Alzheimer’s impacted the life of Alec’s father and is impacting the life of his youngest daughter), The Art Gallery of Hamilton, or Ducks Unlimited.

Private Family Funeral to follow.