It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Joseph Owen Murdoch on June 17, 2023 at the Miramichi Regional Hospital, at the age of 80. Born on July 7, 1942 at the Hotel Dieu Hospital in Chatham NB, to his late parents Francis and Matilda (Kelly) Murdoch. Owen was surrounded by the love of family and friends in his last days, and at his passing was in the loving presence of his life partner Mona by his side.
In his early years, Owen was Ontario's top crane engineer, working on often very difficult and highly skilled projects including the Welland Canal, the Madawaska Bridge and Mont Sainte-Anne ski hill in Quebec. He later began his career at Boeing Canada in Arnprior where his ingenuity into the mechanics of the flight operations of the Chinook helicopter finally got this aircraft off the ground and into life saving missions across Canada. Owen was a man of great faith and was a lifelong member of St Andrew’s Roman Catholic Church in Loggieville, NB.
He deeply loved his family and his friends who held a special place in his heart. Owen enjoyed the simple things that life had to offer. He loved spending time at the beach at East Point in Loggieville and taking long walks with his dog, Ben. He was a wonderful story teller and unofficial historian of lands and family trees. He had a wonderful wit and a thousand sayings. He was an avid reader of the newspapers and took a lifelong interest in local and global events. His love and pride of The Miramichi, his family, his music and his roots was shared with all the lives he touched.
Owen’s love of music was his true passion. He started at an early age playing with his brothers and friends and many bands travelling through Ontario, Newfoundland, Ireland and the US. He composed many songs and always had his guitar tuned and ready for a jam session. Upon retirement back in the Miramichi, he quickly joined in with his mother and other musicians and could often be heard playing festivals and other venues around the river and the province.
Owen is survived by and will be greatly missed by his spouse, Mona Jimmo of Miramichi; daughters Janet Lourenco, Kimberley Murdoch and Rosemary Murdoch (Bruce Ford) all of Ontario and their mother, Joan Hanniman; sister Mary Jane Kingston (Lawrence) of Loggieville; brother Leo Murdoch (Eileen) of Miramichi; grandchildren Ava and Callum Taranowski, and Isabella Lourenco. He is also survived by his aunt Mary Kelly Hayes and his step-daughter, Carole LeGresley and step-grandson, Louis Philippe LeGresley as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his parents, Owen was predeceased by his wife, Muriel Savoy LeGresley, his brother Terry Murdoch, sister in law, Betty Murdoch, two infant brothers, David and Joseph, and his nephew Clinton Brown.
The family would like to thank Dr. Gerard Losier for the excellent care he provided over many years and during Owen’s last months at the hospital. We would also like to acknowledge the many nurses who cared for Owen including the Palliative Care Unit, and nurse Francine, for making it possible for his children to be able to stay in contact with their dad. We are forever grateful for your care and compassion.
His daughters have set up the annual Owen Murdoch Memorial Music Scholarship at the Miramichi Valley High School in his honour. Owen's kind-hearted loving personality was felt by many in his life and will be always remembered with love and fondness. Through this scholarship Owen’s love of music will be shared with future musicians as they pursue their academics and passion for music.
The family will receive relatives and friends at Northumberland Funeral Home, 102 Pleasant St, Miramichi,
on Monday, July 3, 2023, from 4 to 7 pm. Funeral Mass will be celebrated
on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at 11am, at St Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, 12 St Patrick’s Drive, Nelson, with Father Anthony Das Papu officiating and Father Dan Bastarache will be assisting the mass.
As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to the Owen Murdoch Memorial Music Scholarship at Miramichi Valley High School. E-transfers can be sent to his daughter Rosemary Murdoch (
rosemurdoch@hotmail.com), cash or cheque made payable to Miramichi Valley High School Scholarship, with your full name and mailing address for a charitable donation receipt from the Miramichi Valley High School Scholarship.
