Auld Lang Syne

Murray Snelgrove, who I had known since public school, was taken from the world over the Christmas holidays. Word is he had a heart attack. 

Even though Murray looked healthy and fit, his heart bore many heavy burdens over the years, and I guess he just wore it right out.

First and foremost, Murray was a singer/songwriter/musician. At a high school reunion at Sandy's circa 2012, I joined Murray and another friend on stage. We sang "Signed Sealed Delivered" and "A Horse With No Name." He was sometimes able to support himself from his music, but he also had to do other things to stay solvent. I remember him telling me not long ago that he was an Uber driver. 

As well as being supremely talented, Murray really did have a heart like a hotel. He was separated from his wife when he learned she was diagnosed with a life-altering disease. Murray moved back in with her so he could take care of her. He got a lot of grief but no support from his wife's family. And yet, he kept his spirits up and happily accepted my offer of mailing him Hospice literature about caregiving.

I don't know much about it, but I believe that Murray struggled with addiction throughout his life. My sense is that most of the time he was able to live sober, but once in a while he'd have a little slipup. 

Murray was blessed with the gift of aging well. As the years went by, he actually became MORE handsome every time I saw him. 

Since his wife's illness, Murray kept a pretty low profile. I don't even remember the last time I saw him or spoke with him. However, I do have many happy memories seeing him sing and play around town: The Dominion House, the Windsor Yacht Club. When Murray took the stage, it wasn't long before his rapt audiences were singing along with him, or dancing a conga around the establishment. His enthusiasm and excitement were just contagious.

One of his most recent YouTube posts was a song he wrote called "Gettin' Out". "No looking back, no regrets", he sang. I listened when I heard the news; it was hard to see and hear.  

I chose the title of this tribute because Murray did an outstanding rendition of the Dan Fogelberg song that has become part of the holiday mainstream. Whenever I hear that song, I am reminded of Murray singing it. Let's drink a cup of kindness yet and raise a glass to auld lang syne...and our fallen friend.