Obituary of Murray Jackson

JACKSON: Murray Ross passed away suddenly from a short illness at Brandon Regional Health Centre on Monday, April 16th, 2012. Son of the late Bruce Jackson and the late Selina Jackson (née Fontana). Brother of Roy Jackson of Boissevain and the late Bill Jackson. Husband of the late Cheryl Jackson (née Elliott). Loving partner of Elaine Griffiths of Brandon. Father of Kenneth Jackson of Brandon and Steven Jackson of Toronto. Uncle, great uncle and great great uncle to too many nephews and nieces to mention. Murray Jackson was born on April 19th, 1946 in Virden, MB. He moved to various towns including Boissevain and Minto in his youth. He grew up in the Catholic church and served as an alter boy. In 1971, he married Cheryl Elliott and moved to Minto. His first son, Kenneth, was born in 1972 and his second son, Steven, was born in 1976. Murray spent a large part of his life in service to the community, helping create a seniors residence and a clean water system as well as playing a part in the town's centennial. He opened his accounting business and operated it with Cheryl for over ten years. He served on the Minto volunteer fire department, community hall board, rink committee, and cemetery committee. He was involved in many sports in Minto and surrounding communities including curling, bowling and the Minto Choir Boys baseball team. Murray was also involved in politics, becoming the president of the Turtle Mountain Progressive Conservatives for a period of time. Murray worked at a number of municipalities in administrative positions such as Riverside, Turtle Mountain, Glenwood and Whitewater and worked as a councillor in Whitewater. Murray and his family started harness horse racing in the mid eighties and owned and trained horses to race all over Manitoba and Saskatchewan for over twenty years. He also served as president of the Great Western Harness Racing Circuit. He enjoyed his time on the farms with his brothers and his many nieces and nephews and at home, participating in school functions and various trips with Cheryl, Ken, Steven, and the family dog, Macky. When Cheryl passed away in 2008, Murray continued harness racing and his community involvement. He retired from municipal work in 2009. He met Elaine in 2010 and in 2011, he moved to Brandon with her. He joined curling and bowling leagues, going dancing with Elaine to the music of the Fugitives, and remained active until his passing. Murray is survived by his sons, Ken and Steven and his partner Elaine and her sons, Rick, Jerry and Jon. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Augustine's Roman Catholic Church at 327-4th Street, Brandon, MB on Thursday, April 19th, 2012 at 11:00am with Fr. Dominic Yuen as Celebrant. Reception to follow at St. Augustine's with interment after at Minto Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Minto Cemetery Perpetual Fund, the Minto Foundation and/or the Canadian Cancer Society.