Obituary of Murray Gordon Howard

On July 12, 2023, Murray Gordon Howard peacefully passed away at the age of 87 surrounded by his wife and children at Crescent Park Nursing Home in Fort Erie, Ontario.

Murray is survived by his wife of 61 years, Pamela Howard, his brother Greg Howard, his four children, Heather Nelson, Wendy Stevens, Bruce Howard, and Lorraine Swarts, his nine grandchildren and his three great-grandchildren. Murray is predeceased by his parents, Olive and Walter Howard and his sister, Miriam Smith.

While being born in Hamilton, Ontario he lived in, or close to Beamsville for most of his life. He grew up helping out at the family grocery store and building a car for racing with his childhood buddies. As a young man and while traveling to northern Scotland to find a long lost relative, Murray met and married his wife. After traveling back to Canada together, Murray worked at the Vineland Agricultural Research Station before embarking on a string of entrepreneurial ventures, beginning with restoring and selling antiques, developing an insulation business with his brother Greg, and building a successful woodstove business with Pam (House By The School - Vineland, Ontario). While raising their own children and a foster son, Murray found pleasure in being connected with family and the community. He participated in Pioneer Days in Jordan, hunted for antique treasures and raised chickens. He worked extensively in his garden where he took pride in growing vegetables to feed his family. He spent his leisure time at a cottage on McQuaby Lake in northern Ontario where he was able to fish, read and enjoy good food with family. It was here that many bonds and memories were created along side Pam’s extended family. These relationships continued to hold importance throughout his life.

After selling their businesses and upon their retirement to Durham, Ontario, they built a beautiful log home and embraced a simpler life closer to the land. Here he continued to tend his garden, travel the world, began to reconnect with his faith and enjoyed the fruits of his labor. We will miss his gentle smile, sparkling blue eyes, and iconic beard. He knew everyone’s name and loved talking about all things old.

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of life to honour his memory to be held at the Ramada Jordan/Beacon Resort, 2793 Beacon Boulevard, Jordan, Ontario at 1 pm on Sunday September 3, 2023.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to all the staff at Crescent Park Nursing Home for their care and compassion during Murray’s twilight years.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy.