MURDOCH, Frederick Edward Archibald

November 15, 1920 – March 11, 2014

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of our dad, Fred Murdoch, in his sleep, after a long and fulfilling life.

Fred was born in Calgary, and lived there with his parents Fred Sr. and Lil until his teens, when they moved to Vancouver.

At the outbreak of WW II, Fred joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and became an aircraft electrician, in the ground crew, servicing fighter/bomber aircraft in both England and Holland with 39 Wing, rising to Flight Sergeant rank. Fred had learned to play the piano as a boy, and became popular as a pianist for sing alongs at whichever base he was stationed.

He met and then married in July 1943, his wife, Violet, who lived in Lewes, a small town in Sussex, England. They had their first son in September 1944. After the war, Vi traveled to Canada by ship with a large group of English ‘war brides’ and Fred returned to Canada via ship and then on to Vancouver. They soon bought a home in East Vancouver and had another son in 1949 and a daughter in 1950.

The older three children have fond memories of camping holidays and a driving holiday to the Calgary Stampede in 1955. After another daughter was born in 1957, it was time for a new, larger home and the family moved to North Burnaby. A third daughter was born in 1965, to make a total of 2 sons and 3 daughters. Fred still found the time during these years to sing in the local church choir and also complete his Royal Conservatory Grade 10 piano level.

Fred spent his career years as an electrician, initially doing manufacturing and repair work, and later on in sales of industrial equipment.

In the mid 1970’s, Fred and Vi built a new retirement home on acreage in the Crescent Park area. They bought a baby grand piano, which got much use right up until 2011 and was the source of much enjoyment with neighbours, friends and family over the years.

Fred and Vi greatly enjoyed many wonderful cruise vacations in different parts of the world. Sadly, in 1994 Vi passed away after a many year battle with cancer.

In the years since then, Fred spent much time with his widowed neighbour, and special friend, Joy, and the two of them had many happy times together.

Fred had a fascination with steam locomotives from a young age, partly as a result of his father’s work as a steam locomotive engineer for the CPR. As a boy, Fred built model trains, and this hobby continued and led to a desire to build a large, real working model steam locomotive. He spent 40 years building the 1/12th scale locomotive and tender from scratch in his home machine shop. He was an active member of several model train clubs over the years, culminating in his membership in the Vancouver Island Model Engineers, who have a roundhouse and track area on acreage near Sidney. Fred’s locomotive and tender will continue to be stationed there and will provide great delight to many people that enjoy a ride around the acreage.

Due to failing health in 2011, Fred moved from the townhouse in Ocean Park to Morgan Place in South Surrey. We would like to thank the caring staff there, and especially nurse Myrna for her wonderful care and help to us all.

Dad is survived by his five children David (Pat), Wayne (Valerie), Wendy (Peter), Talitha (Darrell) and Heather. He is also survived by and will be greatly missed by his 10 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and his special friend Joy.

As requested by Fred, there will just be a small immediate family get together. To sign Book of Condolences and to share a story, please click on mckenziefuneralservices.com