Obituary of James Murray MARCHEN

We are heartbroken to say goodbye to James Murray Marchen of Calgary, Alberta, who passed away in his sleep on June 15, 2016. He was sixty-three years old. James Murray was born in Belleville, Ontario, the fourth child of John Arnold Marchen and Catherine (née Rashotte). He is survived by his brother Peter Marchen (Linda) of Bright’s Grove, Ontario, his sister Margaret LeSage of Kingston, Ontario, and his sister Nancy Roach of Aurora, Ontario. Murray also leaves behind wife Pamela Medland, his best friend and partner of thirty-eight years, son Daniel Medland-Marchen and daughter Emilie Medland-Marchen. A graduate of Peterborough Collegiate and Vocational School and the University of Toronto, James spent his early life in Tweed, Belleville, Peterborough and Toronto. After graduation, James travelled in Central America, eventually moving to Vancouver where he was known as Murray to his western friends and family. In 1978 he met Pam and they began their life journey together from Vancouver to Toronto, Hamilton, Kitimat, Port Alberni, Kelowna and finally Calgary. Murray was an athlete, a scholar, a coach, a husband and a father, but above all else, a good friend to those who knew him well. He felt a profound sense of empathy for others and while he always extended an open heart and mind to those he loved, he also spoke out strongly on behalf of those less fortunate. His convictions remained passionate and consistent throughout his life. He was not afraid to share his passion in song and lively political debate, finding the strength to do so in a keen mind and tender heart. Murray remained an intellectual throughout his life, engaging in a lifelong search for knowledge and understanding. His memory was extraordinary and his reading extensive, but the simple things in life gave him the most joy: music, long walks with his wife, reading stories to his children and taking care of family pets. Some will remember him in the classroom or on the ice, while others will remember him mid conversation, eyes alight. Pam, Daniel and Emilie will remember him most for his warmth and extraordinary dedication to a family whose lives he profoundly impacted. Murray was a wandering soul who travelled across Canada on his own as a young man and with his wife and children later in life, protecting and cherishing them wherever they went. His last journey was to Calgary where he passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home on a beautiful spring day. Murray will live on in the hearts and minds of those he loved. We will miss him all our lives.