Former Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Murdoch has passed away.
Murdoch was Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound’s Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1990 to 2011.
Close family friends have confirmed Murdoch passed away peacefully at the Residential Hospice of Grey Bruce (Chapman House) in Owen Sound Tuesday August 16th after being diagnosed with cancer in recent years.
Murdoch, who was from Bognor in the Municipality of Meaford, was very active in the Grey Bruce community. Prior to provincial politics, he was a municipal councillor and reeve of Sydenham and in 1987, Grey County warden. He was a board member of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) for five years and its vice-chair for two years. He was also chair of the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority for five years. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion and was also a Mason.
Murdoch was well known as a host on Bayshore Broadcasting’s Open Line show on AM 560 CFOS, hosting Murdoch Mondays, Midweek With Murdoch and Rock and Talk With Murdoch, as well as other programs for many years.
During his time as a member of provincial parliament, Murdoch was known as ‘Maverick’ Bill Murdoch, as a result of his reputation for speaking his mind, occasionally disagreeing, even with his own party emphasizing his representation of his constituents in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound. He eventually sat as an independent.
He was a big supporter of local music, at one time managing the band the Tombstones and organizing numerous concerts including the Bognor Jams and helping to build the Grey Bruce Music Hall of Fame at the Hepworth Legion, which was destroyed by a fire in January.
Murdoch enjoyed motorcycles, and at one point belonged to a local group known as The Saddle Tramps, which participated in numerous charity events.
He was a big supporter of the local OHL team the Owen Sound Attack, and was also known for his massive hockey jersey collection, with a heavy emphasis on his favourite team the Montreal Canadiens.
He was 77 years old.
A number of local municipalities are lowering their flags to half mast in recognition of Bill’s passing.
His death notice says a private celebration of life will be held at the Brian E. Wood Funeral Home in Owen Sound on Saturday, August 20, 2022 with private interment in McLean’s Cemetery in Bognor.
It says, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Chapman House Hospice or the Bruce Grey Music Hall of Fame would be appreciated.
Condolences can be sent to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.ca
- Memories of Murdoch from Former Bruce Grey Owen Sound MP Larry Miller
- Memories of Murdoch from former Owen Sound Mayor Ruth Lovell
- Memories of Murdoch from Former MPP Bill Walker
- Memories of Murdoch from Arnie Clark
Saddened to hear of the passing of Bill Murdoch, former MPP for Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound. Bill was a true leader for his community and will be dearly missed. My deepest condolences go out to his family and friends at this time. https://t.co/75V4lDg18l
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) August 17, 2022
Bognor Bill Murdoch was a colleague, friend, mentor & “1 of a kind” RIP my friend Condolences to Sue, Angela & Karen https://t.co/Y1sh4Vq8V6
— Larry Miller, MP (@LarryMillerMP) August 17, 2022
My statement on the passing of former #BruceGreyOwenSound MPP, ‘Maverick’ ‘Bognor Bill’ Murdoch. My deepest condolences to Sue, Karen, Angola and the whole family on the passing of Bill. “Bill, you may have passed on, but you’ll never be forgotten.” #RIP pic.twitter.com/25uGt6GRuQ
— Alex Ruff (@AlexRuff17) August 17, 2022
This morning @spaikin delivered a lovely tribute to Bill Murdoch – former MPP and @GreyCounty Warden. Sadly, Bill passed away yesterday. Bill has a lot of friends here at the #AMO2022 conference. RIP Bill. @TownofHanover @NewsBayshore @OwenSoundST pic.twitter.com/Dl7efnCOF5
— Selwyn “Buck” Hicks (@SelwynJHicks) August 17, 2022
It’s with sadness we share former Bruce Grey Owen Sound MPP, and past Grey County Warden, Bill Murdoch has passed away. County flags will be lowered in his honour and we extend our condolences to his family and many friends. https://t.co/b0S6xxEYrv
— Grey County (@GreyCounty) August 17, 2022
Today, Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Rick Byers issued the following statement in response to yesterday’s passing of former MPP Bill Murdoch…https://t.co/aPJI3OjVcC pic.twitter.com/60nKMozOBY
— Rick Byers (@rickbyersmpp) August 17, 2022