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October 5, 1938 - October 6, 2021
Gary Murton was born Oct 5, 1938, in Victoria, BC. The eldest child of Ernest and Violet Murton and older brother to Nancy and Phil (Leslie Jo). He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Heather (nee Unterreiner); his three children, Stacey (Geoff ), Jamie (Catherine) and Dave (Andrea). He is greatly missed by his six grandchildren, Joel, Jeremy, Addie, Esmé, Nicholas, and Samantha.
Gary was always "good with his hands" and spent his early years building go-carts, buying and fixing up old cars, and working for his dad washing windows in Victoria. He worked briefly for BC Tel but then decided to attend UVIC. Upon graduation he started teaching in Lillooet, BC where he met Heather. The Port Alberni years began in 1966 at Alberni Elementary School. He was later principal of Glenwood Elementary and Beaufort School, Director of Special Education, and Superintendent of Schools. After retirement he and Heather travelled with friends and Gary became involved in the Industrial Heritage Society. His IHS friends became important to Gary in his later years and he was very impressed with their skill, knowledge, and hard work.
Gary was first and foremost a family man. He was a great father and grandfather. His family and friends knew him as a storyteller who was very funny. He had endless time and energy for children and their needs, something that also characterized him as an educator. His work and social service was marked by a uniquely broad and inclusive understanding of who mattered in society. He is remembered fondly by former students and neighbourhood kids and his nieces and nephew.
Heather and Gary worked tirelessly together, helping each other to create a fun, safe, and memorable life for their children and grandchildren.
The family would like to thank all of the doctors and nurses in BC's public health care system that looked after Gary over the years. A special thank you to the staff at Ty Watson House who went above and beyond to make Gary's final days as peaceful and as pleasant as possible.
Gary was always a strong, steady presence to those around him: a wise man. This is a great, almost unfathomable loss to those who were close to him. We will miss him. He died peacefully with his family at his bedside on Oct 6, 2021. He was 83. If desired, memorial donations can be made to Ty Watson house or the West Coast General Hospital Emergency Room expansion.
To send a condolence to the family please visit www.yatesmemorial.ca
Yates Memorial Services


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