Obituary of Walter Murray Ferguson
Murray was reunited with Dianne, his beloved wife of 66 years, on February 18, 2026. He will be deeply missed by his three sons: Clark (Linda), Bob (Sandra), and Ross; his six grandchildren: Élise (Bram), Simon (Brandon), Julien (Gabby), Kelsey (Ross), Madeleine (Ryan), and Alison; and his five great-grandchildren: Abra, Arthur, Jasper, Rowan, and Connor. He will also be remembered by a large extended family of nieces, nephews, and their children.
He was predeceased by his wife, Dianne; his sisters, Fran (Jim) and Edith (Chris); his brother, Bruce (Dorothy); and his parents, Josephine and Walter Ferguson.
“Grandpa Murray,” and more recently “GGM” (Great-Grandpa Murray), cherished time spent with the youngest members of the family. His quick wit and the twinkle in his eye will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.
Murray grew up in the Garneau neighbourhood of Edmonton, where he developed an early connection with aviation and learned to fly a Harvard IV in 1954. He graduated from the University of Alberta in 1960 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. It was also at the University of Alberta where Murray met Dianne, and they were married in 1956.
Murray began his career with Alberta Government Telephones in Edmonton. In 1965, shortly after the birth of their third son, he accepted a position with the Canadian government in the Aviation section of Transport Canada. Murray, Dianne, and their three children under the age of five boarded a train and moved to Ottawa to begin this new chapter.
Murray spent the remainder of his career with the federal government, working with what became Transport Canada. During the 1970s, he was responsible for implementing many of the aviation security procedures introduced during that time. In 1980, the family returned to Edmonton when Murray was appointed Project Manager for the expansion of the Edmonton International Airport, a role he held from 1980 to 1985. In 1985, Murray and his family returned to Ottawa, where he continued working until his retirement in 1991.
Murray shared Dianne’s passion for music. He sang in her church choirs, and after she retired, he continued singing with the Nepean Choir.
Murray loved spending time at the family cottage on Pigeon Lake in Alberta. Even while living in Ottawa, every second or third year included a summer spent there. In the early years, the cottage was heated by a wood-burning stove and fireplace. Drinking water was pumped from a well down the road at the picnic grounds, and the washroom was outside, “up the hill.” When the family returned to Edmonton from 1980 to 1985, the cottage was expanded and modernized, with an electric stove installed, a furnace added, and a well drilled to bring running water to the property.
Travel was another passion for Murray. During his time with Transport Canada, his work took him to many parts of the world to study airport design and security procedures and to share Canadian best practices. Murray and Dianne also travelled extensively together, visiting destinations throughout North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania.
After retiring, Murray spent summers at Pigeon Lake, enjoying visits with family and friends. The rest of the year often included at least one multi-week adventure to destinations such as hiking Machu Picchu, cruising around Cape Horn (twice!), and touring across Europe.
Murray also extended the family’s genealogy records, gathering information from newly released electronic historical archives. Through his research, he connected with extended family in their ancestral homeland of Scotland, as well as relatives in New Zealand and Australia.
In recent years, Murray lived with Clark and Linda, where he enjoyed visiting with neighbours, playing cribbage, and relaxing on the deck surrounded by nature, flowers, and wildlife. Winter, the family’s Pomeranian, was a loyal companion who was never far from his side.
The family is grateful for the care provided by the staff at Lanark Lifestyles and the Perth Hospital during Murray’s final six months.
A private celebration of life will be held in June. Murray’s ashes will be placed with Dianne’s at St. James Cemetery in Carp, Ontario.
In memory of Murray, memorial contributions to Diabetes Canada would be gratefully appreciated by the family.
