Murray Arndell McBride
F.P., B.Sc.Ag., B.Div., M.Div
1935 - 2026
Murray died peacefully on Thursday, April 23, 2026, five days before his 91st birthday, with
his dearly beloved wife, Mary Jane (Cybulski) by his side. He leaves behind his five
sources of pride and joy, sons Paul (Susan), Ross (Trisha), John (Lise), stepson Roger
Hardy (Jenny) and stepdaughter Michaela Tokarski (Derek). These 5 children have given
him 11 wonderful grandchildren, (Alexis, Jenna, Jasmine, Summer, Emily, Abigail, Rachel,
Ryan, Blake, Clara and Cole) and 5 great grandchildren (Autumn, River, Jacob, Caleb and
Austin).
Murray was the fourth child of Arndell and Ellen (Anderson) McBride. He was born, and
grew up on, a dairy farm in Pleasant Valley in Renfrew County. He is predeceased by his
brothers Henry (Harry) d. 2014 (Velma d. 2017), Arthur d. 2020 (Beryl d. 2019), and Izett d.
2019 (Gail d. 2022). He is survived by sisters Shirley and Gayle (Paul Stewart).
After attending a one-room country school, Murray completed high school at Westmeath
Continuation School and Pembroke Collegiate. He went on to earn a degree at the
University of Toronto’s Ontario Agricultural College in Guelph. Murray later answered a call
to Ministry and completed a degree at Emmanuel College, University of Toronto, followed
by a Master’s degree from Yale Divinity School in New Haven, Connecticut.
Murray was ordained to the United Church of Canada, and served Pastoral charges in
Ballinafad, Chapleau, Arnprior and Kanata, all in Ontario. While doing so, he was appointed
to a Special Committee on Faith tasked with creating a New Creed for the United Church
of Canada.
While serving at Grace-St. Andrew’s United Church in Arnprior, he sought the Liberal
nomination in the Federal Riding of Lanark-Renfrew-Carleton and was elected to
Parliament in June 1968. Murray was one of the last surviving members of the House of
Commons Committee that brought in Supply Management.
After leaving politics, Murray successively served as Executive Assistant to the Postmaster
General of Canada, Executive Assistant to the Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs,
General Manager of the Farm Credit Corporation of Canada, Chairman of the Canadian
Egg Marketing Agency, President of the Alexander Proudfoot Company of Canada,
Chairman of Intellivest Canada (owned by Ross) and active board member of Clearly
Contacts (created by Roger and Michaela).
Murray and Mary Jane enjoyed a long and active retirement, spending time at their beloved
cottage, Sandridge on the Ottawa River, spending winters in Mount Maunganui in New
Zealand, and travelling extensively throughout the world. Family was extremely important
to Murray, and he and Mary Jane spent many happy holidays, special events, and quiet
times with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Murray’s life will be conducted by the Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock at 10:30 a.m.
on Saturday, May 9, 2026 in St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 82 Kent Street (at
Wellington) in downtown Ottawa.
YouTube live streaming of the service:
A Celebration of the Life of Murray Arndell McBride
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to St. Andrew’s United Church in Westmeath Ontario, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Ottawa, Ontario or to the Ottawa Heart Institute would be appreciated.