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EDWARDS, Murray Dallas Died peacefully in Victoria General Hospital at 12 noon on Sunday, 14 December 2008, in the arms of his devoted wife, Kathy, with his loving daughter, Liz at his side. He was a young man of 84. Murray was blessed with a youthful appearance and had a spirit to match. A lively man: his eyes sparkled, he walked with a spring in his knees and his good humour was infectious. A kind, thoughtful, generous, energetic, enthusiastic, creative, optimistic, and curious man, he was an actor, director, producer, writer, broadcaster, historian, and academic. Murray was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, the second child and only son of Frank and Kathleen. Immediately after graduating from Nutana High School, he joined up" and went overseas with the Canadian Army. With the 8th Reconnaissance, 2nd Division, he saw action in Northern Europe, and in 1945 volunteered to fight in the South Pacific. Fortunately, the War ended, and Murray was able to begin university studies at Khaki College in England. He returned to Saskatoon in 1946 to attend the University of Saskatchewan, where he received the first impetus toward theatre. He completed his B.A. in l949, and in the summers of 1948 and 1949, was actor-manager of one of the first touring companies originating in Saskatchewan, the Western Stage Society. In 1950, a scholarship for advanced studies took him to Columbia University, where he received his M.A. (1953) and PhD. (1962) with his dissertation published in 1968 by the University of Toronto Press as A Stage in Our Past. Murray was a pioneer of Canadian theatre history. He began collecting theatrical Canadiana when he was on tour with the Western Stage Society. He persevered, and, as Mavor Moore noted in 1968, succeeded in establishing himself as that rarest of scholars, a Canadian theatrical historian. Interspersed throughout his life were periods of teaching at various universities and colleges in Canada and the U.S. and work with the CBC. He loved working at the CBC as a radio producer. Of particular note were the Sunday Night Stage Series, The Learning Stage (the first of its kind in continuing adult education), Style in the Theatre, and The Wonderful World of Radio. In 1976, Murray made a big move to the University of Victoria as a Visiting Professor in the Department of Theatre. He continued to be associated with the Department of Theatre for many years, while also serving as the Fine Arts Coordinator in University Extension and Executive Producer of UVic Television Productions. In collaboration with Gord More, Murray produced over 60 videos under various auspices, many of which won awards. Murray's motto was If you rest, you rust," so he never really retired. He continued to work with Gord, contributed articles to scholarly publications, and became an Adjunct Professor in the Theatre Department. He was a formidable squash player, a passionate gardener, and a self-taught pianist who loved classical music, but could also play a mean boogie-woogie. In later years, he became fascinated with genealogy and spent many happy hours researching his family heritage. A loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he kept in close touch with all his family in Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick. Murray is survived by his first wife Natalie (Lloyd) and their children, Emrys, (Carmen) Liz (Eric), Kate, Meg (Joe) and Carson (Nicole), his grandchildren, Jodi (Geordie), Caitlin (Kevin), Nathalie (Brian), Simon, Rose, Frank, Maude, James, Winston, Elizabeth Dawn, and great-grandchildren, Shai, Nava, Jasper, Jaden and Callum. Here in Victoria, he leaves behind his sisters-in-laws Sylvia (Jim) and Nancy (Jim) and their children, Dylan, Jeff, Katelyn and Dana. Murray was a man with many friends; he will be especially missed by Gord, Judy, Karla, Bert, Ray and Doug. This muchloved man was adored by his wife Katherine, she is grateful for the 23 years of love and happiness they had together and will miss him deeply. Murray's family is grateful to the staff on VGH 7B who were unfailingly kind and supportive in the last weeks of his life. Flowers are gratefully declined. If you wish to make a donation in memory of Murray, please consider The Salvation Army, (PO Box 428, Victoria, B.C. V8W 2N8). The Sally Ann was Murray's favourite charity, because of the comfort they brought to him and other soldiers during WWII. Or, a donation to the Katherine E. and Murray D. Edwards Scholarship in Theatre (UVic Development Office, Box 3060, Stn. CSC, Victoria, B.C.V8W 3R4) would be very much appreciated. A memorial reception for Murray Dallas Edwards will be held at the University Club at 4 p.m. on January 5th 2009. He wears the rose Of Youth upon him" Shakespeare, Anthony and Cleopatra, Act iii 518378
Published in the Victoria Times-Colonist from 12/27/2008 - 1/3/2009
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