Said Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: “When a great man dies, for years the light he leaves behind him, lies on the paths of men.” And surely in our hearts.
This week, the community of Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School mourns the untimely loss of a great man in the passing of our beloved teacher, friend and coach, Blair Murray.
Murray, whose ready smile and gentle demeanor sowed comfort and encouragement at every turn, has gone home to his Maker, but the light of his remarkable connectedness lingers in the legacy of greatness he left behind.
Taken in his prime, Murray’s light and legacy now illuminate for us lessons upon which to fix our hearts. As in life, so in death, Coach Murray taught.
With heavy hearts, we reflect upon his life and the important lessons he imparted.
The first of which is character.
By example in countless ways, he taught that integrity, hard work, commitment and humility are the hallmarks of greatness on and off the football field. That true leaders seek first the welfare and development of others. That people matter more than score-sheets. That everyone has something to offer.
In a league where tied rankings are broken by points scored against, Murray had reason to rack up the score in every game, but he consistently chose a better way.
When our team’s lead appeared secure, he would always call in the “second string” to let them have some time to shine. It often meant that we scored less and others scored more against us, but how we loved him for caring more about player development than sheer victory at any cost.
He taught caring and respect.
The tremendous outpouring of grief and emotion at Murray’s passing is testament to the genuine caring and respect he showed certainly to his players, but also to all within his widespread sphere of influence.
“He always made me feel important when he spoke to me.” “He was like the father I never really knew in life.” “He made me feel better than I thought I was.”
Such were the sentiments of team players who loved the man who first loved them.
He taught the value of connectedness.
Coach Murray’s network of people he cared about was astounding. He kept in contact with people from his past — former students, players, friends, associates — celebrating their victories, mourning their sorrows, taking time to connect.
In a technology-driven world where meaningful connection is becoming a lost art, he made time for people. And people loved him for it.
Perhaps the greatest lesson he left behind is the unassailable power of one.
Death, while daunting, is an inescapable quotient of life. How we pass each of these precious days of living really does matter.
One person literally can change the world — one person at a time. Coach Murray’s passing truly hit home to all of us who knew him, the difference one caring, committed, giving person can make in the space of oh so little time.
Murray was only with us at Thurber for three short years. Yet the impact of his influence for good was enormous. Boundless.
In our grief, let us be reminded that the best way to honour him would be to carry forward in the things that mattered most to him.
To make of our lives legacies of character, caring respect and connectedness.
He would absolutely want his team to carry on. To play with dignity. To become honourable men and women who offer their best on and off the field, and give back to their world, as he did.
In the tradition of all great mentors, Coach Murray left us a legacy of honour, devotion, and caring that transcends the ages and defies even death.
May you rest in peace, Coach.
Vesna Higham is a local lawyer, former Red Deer city councillor and a freelance columnist.