John Christopher Murray

1937 - 2008
LocationPenge, London
Age70 years
Cause of DeathCancer
Date of Birth31/12/1937
Date of Death28/11/2008
Visitors2,716 since 22/12/2008
Creator
Helpers

This is the Eulogy which was read at my Grandads funeral by my uncle Stephen:
β™₯
My earliest memories of my father John Christopher Murray or β€˜Dad’ as I called him, was when we went to Crystal Palace Park, where we all got on what my Dad called the β€˜coach’. The β€˜coach’ was where Dad carried myself and my sister, Pauline on his forearm – we would dangle off the floor on his forearm for ten to fifteen minutes, whilst he carried us in this position all the way to the park. This memory stays with me because of the immense strength and stamina of my Dad, even to this day I have tried many times with my two babies, the most I have managed is ten to fifteen seconds – when you get home tonight β€˜have-a-go’ and see how long or how far you can go! This incredible strength and resilience shone through, right up to the last moments that he was with us.
β™₯
I remember a story told to me by Auntie Nan that she recounted again recently when my Dad was 6 years old and living in Fahy, Offaly. Auntie Nan and Dad went to the Harvest blessing, where everyone in Fahy brought their food to harvest. While at the harvest Auntie Nan and Dad, were let us say, acquiring eggs, not to bring back to their dear old granny, but instead to throw the eggs at all the white houses along the way! Needless to say, on returning home Granny and Great Aunt Jenny was waiting on the doorstep to give them both the hiding of their lives. The next day Auntie Nan was sent back on the earliest bus to Dublin. Let me first of all apologise to all the people who had white houses in Fahy at that time, and to Auntie Nan, we forgive you for being such bad influence, because he didn’t turn out that bad after all, did he! This was typical of Dad, always the joker, playing tricks. I am sure that at some time each and every one of you has a funny story to tell - Dad was also a great storyteller.
β™₯
Dad was never tainted by the desire for money, although shrewd with his money, he never wanted for anything. He had two great passions in life. The first being his five grandchildren, Caroline, Samantha, Sean, Tommy and Michael – when it came to his grandchildren money was no object, but more important was his unconditional love and devotion to them. The second being music, two tracks come to mind, β€˜The long and winding road’ by the Beatles which was his favourite, and β€˜Hey Mr Tambourine Man’ by the Byrds which I now play on a regular basis.
β™₯
Dad had many jobs – initially he worked in Wales in the building trade, where he lived with his sister, May. From there, he signed up to the Army, where he spent several years in Germany. This was one of his happiest times in his life for two reasons, the first being all the soldier tales he would regale us with. The second and most important was that it was then whilst on leave from Germany in Dublin that he met Teresa Butterly, otherwise Mum. After leaving the Army, the family moved to Crystal Palace where Dad became a paint sprayer, it was here that he met Pat, his lifelong best friend for the past 40 years. His last job before retiring was as a bus conductor on the number 36 – Victoria to Hither Green - where to this day, he still retains many good friends because of his good humour and good nature – maybe you were one of the lucky ones that jumped on the number 36 and met him.
β™₯
But these words don’t and cannot give an accurate impression of John. Dad was a person who was full of: warmth and kindness; care and compassion; patience and love. Everyone who met him immediately fell in love. He made us feel good about ourselves, with no expectations in return. He spread his love around, and for that, he made everyone a better person and the world a better place.
β™₯
Although his body failed him later in life, Dad never got angry about his illness, but saw it as another opportunity to fight. Even at the end he wasn’t bitter, and was more worried about seeing his grandchildren Tommy and Michael again. In all my years, I never heard him speak badly about anyone, and no-one ever had a bad thing to say about him.
β™₯
His love for people was endless, but family was always the most important thing. Dad adored his late parents, Anthony and Mary and also his late brother, Tommy, as well as his 11 surviving brothers and sisters, and all his nephews and nieces. This is also reflected in his devotion to St. Anthony’s church, being a long standing member of Father Nolan’s and Father Sunith’s congregation.
β™₯
But there is one woman who made his life so special, my mother, Teresa. They were married in June, 1962 on a beautiful summer’s day over 46 years ago. Since then their lives have become so intertwined that it will take much more than this to separate them. The expression β€œtill death do us part” is meaningless for my parents, as their love for each other goes far deeper than life itself.
β™₯
Now we have to say goodbye to him, and this is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. But he is going nowhere. Whenever we are feeling upset, we should remember the love that he showed to each and everyone one of us.
β™₯
I love him deeply, as does everyone gathered here today and many that could not be with us, and I will do so forever. I am so honoured to have called John, Dad and I know that a piece of him will always be in our hearts.
β™₯
John Christopher Murray - my Grandad was a truly beautiful man and the best Grandad anyone could ever ask for, he fell asleep on the 28th November 2008 aged 70 years after a short battle with lung cancer. He leaves behind an ever loving wife of 50 years Teresa, a daughter Pauline, a son Stephen and five grandchildren: Caroline, Samantha, Sean, Tommy and Michael.
β™₯
My Grandad was diagnosed with Lung Cancer in July 2008 and immediately began a 16 week course of chemotherapy which sadly for him didn’t work and he lost his battle on the 28th November 2008. Although he is now gone my Grandad will never, ever be forgotten because everyone he ever met instantly fell in love with him and because of this his memory will live on forever ~ Rest In Peace Always Grandad β™₯ β™₯ β™₯.

════╔══╗Resting now, but
════║══║NEVER Forgotten
β•β•”β•β•β•β•β•β•šβ•β•β•—β™₯ β™° β™₯ β™°
═║════════║
β•β•šβ•β•β•—β•β•β•”β•β•β•
════║══║ β™₯ John Christopher Murray β™₯
════║══║ 31.12.1937 ~ 28.11.2008
════║══║
════║══║ β™° Now in Heavens Garden β™°

β™₯Xβ™₯Xβ™₯Xβ™₯Xβ™₯Xβ™₯Xβ™₯Xβ™₯Xβ™₯Xβ™₯Xβ™₯Xβ™₯Xβ™₯Xβ™₯

Gifts

Tributes

Happy Heavenly Birthday John

000000___00000
_00000000_0000000
_0000000000000000 HAPPY BIRTHDAY
__00000000000000
____00000000000
_______00000
_________0
________*♥*
________*__000000___00000
_______*__00000000_0000000
______*___0000000000000000
______*____00000000000000
_______*_____00000000000
________*_______00000
_________*________0
_____________.___*♥*
_000000___00000___*
00000000_0000000___*
0000000000000000____*
_00000000000000_____*
___00000000000_____*
______00000_______*
________0________*
_______*♥*
________*__000000___00000
_______*__00000000_0000000
______*___0000000000000000
______*____00000000000000t
______*______00000000000
_______*________00000
_______.*__________0
_______.*_________*♥*
_________*________*
_________*_______*
__________*______*
___________*____*
____________*___*
__________.__*__*
_____________*♥*
β™« *β™«*β™« *β™«*β™« *β™«*β™« *β™«*β™« *β™«*β™« *β™«*β™« *β™«
...............Happy Heavenly Birthday .............
β™« *β™«*β™« *β™«*β™« *β™«*β™« *β™«*β™« *β™«*β™« *β™«*β™« *β™«

-------------------.().--.()--()--.()
------------------- || --- || --|| -- ||
-----------------{*~*~*~*~*~*~*}
.-------------@@@@@@@@@
------------ {~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~}
----------@@@@@@@@@@@
--------- {~*~*~*~HAPPY~*~*~*~*~}
----- -{~*~*~*~*~BIRTHDAY~*~*~*~*}
---- {~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~}
-@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
----------------------)------...---(
-- ----------_____,-----------,____
------------/_________________\

β™« β™« Happy Birthday To You β™« β™«

β™« β™« Happy Birthday To You β™« β™«

β™« β™« Happy Birthday Dear Johnβ™« β™«

β™« β™« Happy Birthday To You β™« β™«

All my love xoxo

Gloria Anthony'S Mom

4 weeks ago

Am Always With You

When I am gone, release me, let me go.
I have so many things to see and do,
You mustn't tie yourself to me with too many tears,
But be thankful we had so many good years.
I gave you my love, and you can only guess
How much you've given me in happiness.
I thank you for the love that you have shown,
But now it is time I traveled on alone.
So grieve for me a while, if grieve you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust
That it is only for a while that we must part,
So treasure the memories within your heart.
I won't be far away for life goes on.
And if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can't see or touch me, I will be near
And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear
All my love around you soft and clear
And then, when you come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a smile and a "Welcome Home".

Unknown

♥A glass of bubbley to celebrate a New Year♥
0___o__o_o__0_0__o__ _o__0
____0_o___o___o__0_0 ___o___o__0
____00o0000o00o0o0_0 o00o00oo0oo0
___o00o0o00000o000_0 0o0o00o0o00o0
___00000o000o000o0_0 00o000o0000o0
___0o00oo00o0o00o0__ 0000o0o0o00o00
___0o0o00000o00o0___ 000o0o0o0o0o00
____0o0o0000o0o0____ _000o0o00o00o0
_____0000o0000______ __00o000o0000
______0000000_______ ____000000000
________00__________ ______000000
_______00___________ ________000
______00____________ __________00
_____00_____________ ___________00
____00______________ ____________00
_000000_____________ ___________000000

WISHING YOU A HAPPY 2010 XXXXXXX

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. LOVE, PEACE, HEALTH, HOPE AND ALL THE HAPPINESS IN 2010. GOD BLESS YOU ANGEL. ALL MY LOVE GLORIA ANTHONY'S MOM XOXO

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN XOXO

Gloria Anthony'S Mom

December 31, 2009

The Balm Of God's Love
by M.S.Lowndes


When we lose someone we love
The loss seems too great to bear
God sends us friends to comfort us
To show that He deeply cares

But in the dark hours of the night
When there’s nobody else around
When we feel the saddest and loneliest
It’s there God’s love can be found

It’s like a soothing, healing balm
To soothe our broken hearts
The healing oil poured over us
That flows into every part

We can rest secure in God’s love
And know He’s by our side
He holds us when we feel as though
A part of us has died

We can know that God will listen
When we just want to talk
And when we feel we need to cry
We can share it with the Lord

For He is always waiting there
Ready with arms open wide
As we pour out the hurt within
He pours His love inside

Our Father above loves us so much
And will never leave us alone
He will not forsake us in our need
To face this on our own

He comforts us and strengthens us
And rubs us with His balm
And as the dawn breaks through the night
We’ll awake in His loving arms

Gloria Anthony'S Mom

December 31, 2009

1st Angel Day xXx

Daddy
It's so hard to believe that a whole year has pass with out hearing your voice, or seeing your face.
I still think im going to see you come over to see us but that ring on the door never comes.
I find it so hard to come on to this site to visit you and to see all the lovely Candles, Tributes & Gifts everyone has left.

God bless

All my love forever

Pauline xXx

Pauline Andrews (Daughter)

November 30, 2009

β˜† * β˜† * β˜† * β˜† * β˜† * β˜† * β˜† * β˜† * β˜†

Quietly I Weep
By Lyndie Sorenson

Although I seem to hide it
My sorrow's still so deep
Missing you in silence
Quietly I weep

I long to see your smile
Hear your laughter, hug you tight
But you're no longer with me
You've headed toward the light

I'm sure you are quite happy
Here on earth I miss you so
Asking that same question
Why was it you that had to go?

I am sure there is an answer...
One that might make sense
When others offer reasons
I'm just on the defence

If they could understand me
Know how hard life is with grief
Just hold my hand and listen...
That would be a great relief

Although I seem to hide it
My sorrow's still so deep
Missing you in silence...
Quietly I weep

β˜† * β˜† * β˜† * β˜† * β˜† * β˜† * β˜† * β˜† * β˜†

JOHN, MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, TODAY ON YOUR 1st ANGEL DAY AND ALWAYS. GOD BLESS YOU SWEETHEART. ALL MY LOVE GLORIA ANTHONY'S MOM XOXO

Gloria Anthony'S Mom

November 28, 2009

xXx Daddy xXx

One night I cried to Jesus as I sat beneath the trees.
I looked into the open sky and hoped He'd answer me.
I'm lost dear Lord. I've travelled far but still I seem to roam.
Please light the way and lead me, Lord. I need to get back home.

I told him of my burdens and of the sadness in my heart-
That from His gracious love I'd never felt so far apart.
Why did you take my Daddy, Lord? I cannot understand!
No longer can I touch his face or even hold his hand.
I'm angry, Lord. I'm missing him. I'm drowning in my sorrow.
Please help to heal my yesterdays and face each new tomorrow.

It was then I heard my Daddy's gentle voice and I felt his presence near.
How I wanted so to hold him as I cried another tear.
He said, "Daughter, "I'm an angel now, my spirit will be free.
I'm an angel now in Heaven, so please don't cry for me.
I was chosen by our Lord above and now I'm in his care.
When you need me, look inside your heart. I promise to be there.

No one can ever take away our bond with one another
For I'll always be your precious Daddy, as you will be my Child.
So if you cannot find your way or the road to home seems so far,
Just look up into the Heavens and I'll be your guiding star..."

Pauline Andrews (Daughter)

June 25, 2009

xXx Daddy xXx

RE: fathers day
You may have thought I didn't see,
Or that I hadn't heard,
Life lessons that you taught to me,
But I got every word.

Perhaps you thought I missed it all,
And that we'd grow apart,
But Daddy, I picked up everything,
It's written on my heart.

Without you, Daddy, I wouldn't be
The women I am today;
You built a strong foundation
No one can take away.

I've grown up with your values,
And I'm very glad I did;
So here's to you, dear Daddy,
From your forever grateful Daughter.

All my love forever Pauline xXx

Pauline Andrews (Daughter)

June 19, 2009

My Beautiful Grandad ...
It's been six months since you left this world ... And even now it just seems to get harder and harder to not have you here anymore.
There is a big part of my life missing now, that no one could ever fill and each days just feels like there is something missing from it and I know that this will never go away because you are whats missing in my life and knowing that I will never get that back seems to eat me up inside.
No one will ever know how much you ment to me and how everyday I just wish to see you one more time.
I love you so much my beautiful Grandad and I always will.

Until we meet again ...

Your Granddaughter xXx

Samantha Andrews (Granddaughter)

May 28, 2009

Daddy xXx

Missing you so much
When you lose the Daddy you love,
Your heart begins to shatter,
Then you remember the love he gave,
And nothing seems to matter.
No one on this earth could know,
The love I have for you,
The one who said love never dies
Could not have been more true.
The memories that I hold,
So tightly in my heart,
Are the days I spent with you Daddy,
Until we had to part.
All my love today and every day
God bless
Pauline xXx

Pauline Andrews (Daughter)

May 28, 2009

♥ღ♥ Good Night My Beautiful Grandad ... Love And Miss You Always ♥ღ♥

Samantha Andrews (Granddaughter)

May 1, 2009
Click here to see all Tributes
From Admin
From Admin
From Sally
From Pauline
From Pauline
From Pauline
From Pauline
From Teresa
From Teresa
From Teresa
From Pauline
From Pauline
From Sally
From Teresa
From Pauline
Click here to see all 39 gifts