Obituary of Murrey Dubinsky

Murrey Dubinsky, Q.C., B.A., LLB, prominent national Labour Lawyer and Business Consultant, passed away in Calgary on Saturday, August 21, 2004 after a brief, hard-fought battle with cancer. He was born in Moose Jaw, SK on January 26, 1934 and was predeceased by his parents, Boris Dubinsky, Q.C.,and Bea Dubinsky. Murrey possessed true genius for friendship. It seemed that everyone he encountered – from the service people he met in his everyday life, to the CEOs and government officials he dealt with in the business life, – became his friend, and he will be mourned by hundreds of friends throughout Canada and in many countries of the world. His unfailing charm, elegance, thoughtfulness and civility, combined with a genuine interest in and love of people, ensured he was a favourite wherever he went. His wonderful eloquence and ready wit made him an outstanding raconteur and after-dinner speaker, for which he was much in demand. Murrey began his legal career as a Litigator in Saskatchewan, leading to his appointment as Queen’s Counsel at the age of thirty-five. In 1970, he joined Trimac Limited in Calgary as Vice President and its first Corporate Counsel, and eventually formed Administrative Consultants Limited, which consults to management nationally on labor and human resources issues. He remained a member of the Trimac Board for thirty years and also served on the Boards of numerous public companies, including Bovar Inc., and BW Technologies. His consulting career, which highlighted his brilliant analytical and negotiating skills, led him to successfully negotiate major labour disputes in every province in Canada, and to represent Canada in conferences of the International Labour Organization and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development abroad. He served as conciliation commissioner for a series of airline disputes in Canada, all of which were settled without recourse. He was co-author of an Industrial Inquiry Report on wider-based bargaining in the Federal Sector, and was a charter member of the Canada Labour Relation Council. Murrey’s dedicated service to his country and his community was varied and unflagging. At various times he was political campaign advisor, school board chairman, sports announcer, junior hockey team owner, synagogue chair…When he served on various Boards, his clear reasoning, attention to detail, and keen analytical skills were highly valued. He was the epitome of integrity and honesty. His greatest love was of the arts. He was a member of the Board and currently of the Senate of the Stratford Festival of Canada. He had a passion for opera and was a member of the Board of Calgary Opera for many years. He loved to travel, and his travel planning and restaurant advice were legendary – people would phone and say “I’m going to Vienna, or Montreal, or Australia – where shall I eat – and stay” “What should I see?” He loved golf, and played for many years at Canyon Meadows Golf & Country Club in Calgary. He loved to support people of merit, and in 1984 established a Family Trust in his native Saskatchewan which has fostered the post-secondary careers of more than twenty recipients to date. He leaves many legacies to his beloved children and grandchildren – his wonderful memory, his sensitivity to music and literature, his exquisite sense of humour, his kindness and his capacity for thinking incisively, creatively. And most of all, his dicta: “If it’s not productive, don’t do it” and – “AIM HIGH!” Murrey is survived by his adored wife, Lola; his children Danita (Michel), Peter (Debbie) and Howard; and their mother Laila; and his beloved grandchildren, Chantal, Benjamin, Rachel and Jacob. Funeral Services will be held at the Jewish Memorial Chapel (1702 17 Avenue S.W.) on Monday, August 23, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. Interment to follow in the “Jewish Section” at Queen’s Park Cemetery, (4th Street & 31st Ave NW.). A special thanks to Murrey’s caregivers at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre -Unit 47, and the Agape Hospice. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his name directly to the Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tom Baker Cancer Clinic, Attention: Dr. Jill Nation, 1331 – 29 St N.W., Calgary, AB, T2N 4N2 or directly to the AgapÚ Hospice, 1302 – 8 Avenue N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1B8 Telephone: (403) 282-6588. Arrangements in care of the CHEVRA KADISHA OF CALGARY, 1702 – 17th AVENUE S.W. TELEPHONE: 244-4717.