Murray, David Bruce, born December 28, 1930, died peacefully on July 6, 2025, in Ottawa. David’s earliest years were on Patterson Ave. in Ottawa during the Great Depression, then his family moved to Toronto in 1936. Growing up at Eglinton and Mt. Pleasant (“the edge of the city”), he enjoyed cub scouts, stamp collecting, air cadets and camping by bicycle with friends in the Don Valley. He attended Queen’s University, obtaining a degree in Civil Engineering in 1955, and went on to employ his sharp analytical mind in a career with Bell Canada in Montreal, BCTel in Vancouver, and then Statistics Canada in Ottawa, where he worked until retirement in 2002. He married Phyllis Jean Picklyk in 1964 and they would travel all over North America during their 61 years together. He is survived by Phyllis and sons Gordon (Stephanie Potter) of Kinburn ON and Ken (Emma Robinson) of Cressy ON. Loving Granddad to Aidan, Naomi, Evan and Maddy, David was predeceased by his brothers John and George. David believed in giving, supporting a wide variety of causes. He took life seriously, but not without a sense of humour. He will be remembered as a Grand Master of the dad joke, telling minutes-long punny yarns with punchlines that could be seen coming from miles away. Memorial donations can be made in his name to Ottawa Humane Society or Ottawa Hospital Foundation. At David’s request, he was given a green burial in Glenwood Cemetery, Picton. He was pleased to know that he would become part of the earth.
Relatives, friends and neighbours are invited to attend a celebration of David's life on what would have been his 95th birthday, Sunday December 28th, 2025 from 2-4 pm at the Kinburn Community Centre (3045 Kinburn Side Road, Kinburn, ON).