Murray Wayne Miller

Beloved son, spouse, brother, cousin, and friend who took his last breath in peace with loved ones by his side on July 7th at 9:30am 2020.

Murray and his brother were born in Winnipeg.  In 1950 the family moved to Ottawa before settling in West Vancouver in 1953. That was where Murray and his brother Bryan went to High school, and where Murray met his lifelong group of extreme outdoor adventure friends. They challenged rivers and rapids in their homemade canoes, unfortunately, losing the life of one of their own to the swift waters. Murray and his merry men hiked, climbed, and conquered many a mountain, attaining the unexpected status of being the second documented climbers to set foot on some of their peaks.  He was once caught up in an avalanche and greeted his friends with a big smile as they uncovered his head.

After Graduating from West Van High, Murray and his brother attended UBC. During the summer months Murray worked at various jobs, one being at a fish processing plant in Prince Rupert. He stayed in a one room shanty on pilings over the water. But during the first night he awoke to the door being smashed in by a bunch of drunken, brawling fishermen who, as it turned out, were his roommates. They took him under their wing, but he left the next day after discovering the shanty was also the washroom.

Murray obtained his degrees in Commerce and Law from UBC in 1965. He then left the city of Vancouver for the beautiful wilds of the north, practicing Law in Terrace and Hazelton before settling in Smithers among the mountains, lakes, and rivers.  He retired early and enjoyed a lifestyle that most can only dream of. His mornings started at the local coffee shop where he and the other ‘Senators’ would solve the world’s issues of the day. He would then continue his day by hiking, biking, skiing, golfing, and/or playing bridge with another good buddy. Murray and three of his friends rode their motorcycles from Smithers to Tierra del Fuego, then back to Smithers where he went on to Deadhorse in Prudhoe Bay. He was an avid bicycle rider and completed a bike ride across Cuba. He rode his motorcycle across the USA and Canada then completed the trip in the Maritimes with his love Ellen. Murray and Ellen travelled together by road, sea, and air extensively over the years, sharing many wonderful memories and experiences.

Murray lived his life as life should be lived. His tender heart, intellect, generosity, and adventurous spirit made people throughout the world welcome Murray into their lives, cultures, and beliefs. His history of girlfriends throughout his life is admirable. Almost all of them remain lifelong friends. He inspired others to see the good in people and let the bad roll off their backs.

Murray was predeceased by his parents, Fredrick Gilbert Miller, Eileen Lillian Miller (nee Murray), his stepson Gavin and best furry buddy Dexter (aka Poop). He is survived by his spouse Ellen Gillis, brother Bryan Miller, sister-in-law Sheryl Miller, and a multitude of cousins and wonderful friends that he had made from across the globe, and knowing Murray, even more friends from beyond.

           We can remember Murray best by saying “What would Murray do?” in times of doubt.

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