Murray James Pratt

Murray passed away peacefully on the morning of November 22, 2020 at the age of 77. He was surrounded by the love of family and friends through his final days, none more faithfully than the love of his life, Shelley, whom he celebrated 40 wonderful years with this past October.

Murray was born in High River, AB, the fifth of eight children on January 18, 1943, to Thomas and Gertrude Pratt. He spent his youth growing up on the family farm east of Carstairs and while he spent his adult years in the city, the truth was that he was always a farm boy at heart. While he spent many years away from his beloved Alberta prairies, it was no surprise when he finally settled down in Calgary, never leaving the area into which he and Shelley planted their roots. For many long years life revolved around the community centre with Murray playing an active role. It was in this community that he developed treasured friendships and found his place. He was a humble man that helped those where he could and wouldn’t hesitate to give the shirt off his back if he saw someone who needed it more than he did. His kind, sensitive heart was his greatest asset and in turn his greatest gift to those who were privileged to know him.

Murray was a diehard fan of the Calgary Flames and the Toronto BlueJays, rarely ever missing a game and always believing that “this was their year”, his faith in his teams never wavered under pressure or grim statistics. He loved his time on the golf course with Shelley and any of their friends that could complete their foursome or would love to get the whole gang out to make a day of it. He was a man of few words, preferring to be the observer but would have you all in stitches after delivering a perfect one liner or joke, which was the case right up until his final days.

Murray was a jack of many trades spending much of his life working with his hands in which he took great pride. He was a carpenter for most of his working days and a perfectionist in any task he undertook.

Blessed with a big family, Murray would proudly tell those who asked that he and Shelley had a “yours, mine and ours family” but this was purely for formalities sake as to the two of them, they had seven children; Randolph (Susan), Andrew (Christine), Matthew, Pamela (Jeremy), Mark, Donna and Joanne (Jason). He found so much joy in the happiness of his children and took great peace in knowing they found love and fulfillment with their partners and their own children. Murray’s heart was filled to the brim with 17 grandchildren for who he was so proud of their every achievement and success that life offered; Jeremy, Elizabeth, Samuel, Carrington, Alex, Megan, Kelly, Brett, Cole, Taylor, Jake, Eric, Grace, Darius, Danica, Taryn and Jordan.

Our lives will never be the same without him in it but we are thankful for all that he has left of himself in each one of us that knew him best.

As a family we wish to extend our sincerest thanks to the team in the Respiratory Care unit at the Peter Lougheed Hospital for their great care in treating Dad. Furthermore to the amazing Doctors, Nurses and care team at Dulcina Hospice who provided Dad with the greatest level of care, dignity and respect that we could have ever hoped for. We know he held every one of you in highest regard and we will forever be thankful to you for your care.

With the current situation we will be unable to celebrate his life as hoped but plan to do so once restrictions lift and we can do so safely. Until then, grab a cold one and toast the man we all loved.