Murray Vickers MacDonald

(1910.06.16 – 2000.02.10)
SLS, DLS
Commission #083
(1932.03.16)

Murray Vickers MacDonald, a dear friend and co-worker, a loyal member of CIM, died on February 10, 2000 in his 90th year.

Murray's family expected him to follow a family tradition and become a lawyer. It is fortunate for his friends at CIM National Office that he decided instead to become an engineer or we might nor have had the privilege of knowing him.

He graduated as a civil engineer from the University of Saskatchewan in 1931, and obtained a Master's degree to geology from McGill University in 1938. His career, that began while he was a university student in his fathers engineering practice, spanned more than 44 years. During the depression years he worked as a city engineer in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, and then joined the underground survey team at International Nickel Co.'s Frood mine. When his request to work underground "for the experience" was granted, he wound up working underground seven days a week for several months during the nickel hay days. He went on to work for Arntfield Gold Mine as an engineer, for CIL at McMasterville, Quebec, as plant engineer, and then Northern Electric as director of plant engineering. His work in the design and construction of plants all over the world provided Murray and his wife, Mildred, with travel opportunities to the United. Kingdom, Europe, Russia and Morocco. Following his retirement in 1975, they continued to enjoy seeing the world, with lengthy stays in India and Greece.

Murray was designated a Life Member of the Institute in 1973 and a member of the Fifty Year Club in 1985.

When his eyesight deteriorated, Murray replaced skiing and golf with curling, lawn bowling and Scottish country dancing which he taught at his local church. Murray was active in his church and the Senate of Presbyterian College, serving as chairman of the Montreal Institute of Ministry.

Its was the Institutes good fortune in March 1992 when Murray offered to volunteer his Time to National Office projects. Through rain, sleet, snow, ice storms, summer's heat and winter's freeze, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Up to three weeks before he died, Murray could be found attending to members' files at his desk at CIM. His good nature and quick wit endeared him to the staff at CIM, and his determination to live life to its fullest was an inspiration to all. His work at CIM kept him in tune with the movements of the industry to which he contributed so many worthwhile years. The Instituted was fortunate to have such an intelligent, refined and loyal worker in their company for so many years. We will miss you, Murray.

From “CIM Bulletin” Vol. 93 No. 1038 (Any additional information would be appreciated)