Obituary of MURRAY EASTOE

Murray Garnet Eastoe April 23, 1953 – May 4, 2012 Murray Eastoe passed away peacefully at Health Sciences Centre on May 4, 2012. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife of 34 years, Donna (nee Rose), son Kevin, and Kevin’s girlfriend, Lynnsey Reich, sister Irene Houssin, nephews Mike Houssin (Jennifer) and Doug Houssin (Stephanie), mother-in-law Hazel Rose, sister-in-law Karen Benham, niece Andrea Malinowski, brother-in-law Dale Rose, sister-in-law Diniece Rose, nephews Phillip and Bradley Rose, and many cousins. He will be greatly missed by all. He was predeceased by his father and mother, Bob and Dorothy Eastoe, and his father-in-law, Wes Rose. Murray was born and raised in Winnipeg. He attended Lord Selkirk Elementary School, David Thompson Junior High School, and Elmwood High School. He enjoyed many sports including baseball and hockey and played percussion in the Elmwood High School Band. As a teenager he worked at Cox’s Bakery and Hotel Fort Garry. He went on to work for MTS and then attended Red River College getting an electronic technician diploma after which he worked for Cablevision for a few years. His dream career was offered to him in 1977 when he joined the Winnipeg Fire Department and he enjoyed firefighting for 30 years. He met Donna in 1976 and they married on May 6, 1978. They were devoted to each other. In 1982, their son Kevin was born and Murray was a wonderful father to him. Murray had a love of life and he shared this with his family and many friends. He was generous and kind, enthusiastic, humorous and fun loving. He lived his life to the fullest and he helped many. His top priority was always his family, and his friends came in a close second. His hobbies were fishing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, bicycling, camping, playing cards, small engine repair, computers, tinkering (Mr. Fix-It), yard work, cooking, paying attention to "his" cat Arnold, watching the Blue Bombers and the Jets, going on driving holidays, and entertaining. He and Donna travelled together to many destinations across Canada, United States, Mexico and the Caribbean, the most recent being a driving trip to Little Rock, Arkansas and to Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee. Murray took on his biggest life challenge in March 2008 when he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. He had various treatments including a stem cell transplant in March 2010. He did all of this with great courage and determination. His most recent challenge with multiple myeloma occurred suddenly and he soldiered on courageously right to the last breath. The family would like to thank Dr. Brent Kvern, Dr. Peter Nemeth, Dr. David Szwajcer, Dr. Vi Dao, Dr. Ade Olujohungbe, Dr. Rizwan Qureshi, CancerCare treatment room nurses, Tom Roche, all CancerCare Manitoba staff, HSC Emergency staff, Dr. Barry Cohen, Dr. Anthony Battad, and the wonderful staff of GH7 at Health Sciences Centre. He received excellent care throughout his illness. We would also like to thank our family and friends for their loving support throughout this battle with cancer. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Myeloma Canada, P.O. Box 326, Kirkland Quebec, H9H 0A4, CancerCare Manitoba, 675 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, or to the charity of choice. A celebration of Murray’s life will take place on Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St. at Inkster Blvd., Winnipeg. Interment is to follow at Elmwood Cemetery.