Neil Bardal Funeral Centre | Phone: 204-949-22003030 Notre Dame Avenue Winnipeg MB R3H 1B9 info@nbardal.mb.ca 
MacKenzie Funeral Chapel | Phone: 204-467-2525 433 Main Street | Stonewall, MB R0C 2Z0 info@mackenziefh.com
Neil Bardal Funeral Centre | Phone: 204-642-7124 | 82 5th Street, PO. Box 1889 | Gimli, MB R0C 1B0 | info@nbardal.mb.ca

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This Book of Memories memorial website is designed to be a permanent tribute paying tribute to the life and memory of Murray Couch. It allows family and friends a place to re-visit, interact with each other, share and enhance this tribute for future generations. We are both pleased and proud to provide the Book of Memories to the families of our community.

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Obituary for Murray Kenneth Couch

Murray Kenneth  Couch
Peacefully on Tuesday, July 15, 2014, Murray Kenneth Couch passed away in Stonewall, Manitoba. Left to mourn his loss are his children: Bryan (Lynn), Tami (Curtis), and Cathy, as well as his six grandchildren: Celine (Riley), Adria (Derek), Stefan, Brock, Jackson, and Blake. His wife, Ruth, predeceased him in 2005.
Murray was born in Winnipeg and grew up in Swan Lake, Manitoba, where he enjoyed sport from a young age. At 16, he moved to Colorado after receiving a hockey scholarship. Upon return, Murray moved to Winnipeg and graduated in the same class as Ruth at Daniel MacIntyre Collegiate. Murray continued to play hockey and baseball competitively with Winnipeg Monachs, Winnipeg Warriors, Winnipeg Maroons, The Canadian Nation Team, Columbus Club, and St. Boniface Native Sons and won numerous awards and championships, most notably the Allan Cup in 1964 with the Winnipeg Maroons. He would later be inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame for his accomplishments in both hockey and baseball.
Murray’s career as a head cattle buyer began at Swift’s in Winnipeg. From there, he and Eddie Oldershaw developed their own company, Oldershaw & Couch Ltd, at Union Stockyards. In 1988; he became part owner of Winnipeg Livestock Sales where he would finish his career with Jim Oldershaw. His grandchildren have vivid memories of visiting Grampa on Friday afternoons with Gramma to watch the cattle sale and have lunch in the restaurant.
Murray and Ruth settled in Winnipeg and had Bryan, Tami, and Cathy in 1960, ’61, and ’62, respectively. The family moved to the country outside of Stonewall and built a home next to their friends, Barry and Pat McQueen. They lived here for the next 40 years. Murray and Ruth raised their children in Stonewall and became active participants in the community. Murray coached several baseball and hockey teams and began the Power Skate program in Stonewall. Murray and Ruth made many friends through his involvement with the Stonewall Oldtimers hockey and baseball teams. These friends got together often to socialise and remained close right up to today.
Later in life, Murray loved spending time with his grandchildren and watching them play sport. He was present at every practice and game and would travel for any and every tournament, even if it were across the country!
His and Ruth’s home was the hub of family gatherings and his children and grandchildren were always busy in the yard: Grampa housed golf carts, skidoos, and ATVs in the shed that the grandkids went crazy on; maintained a pool in the backyard; and bought calves for pets each summer to entertain the grandkids.
In 2010, Murray moved to Lion’s Manner in Stonewall. There, he was close to his children and spent his days visiting friends and family. Murray continued to value occasions with his family and never delayed on his way to watch a sporting event. Right up to his last days, Murray could often be seen at the rink or baseball diamond. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Funeral service to take place on Saturday, July 19, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at MacKenzie Funeral Home, Stonewall.
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