Murray Jay Press

June 5, 1946 – August 11, 2025

Murray was born in New York City. After losing both parents by age nine, he was raised by his mother’s family in Montreal. He earned BSc and MSc degrees in Physics from McGill University, then completed his PhD in Solid State Physics at Simon Fraser University, where he fell in love with Canada’s West Coast and a girl. He and Heather married in 1976 and moved to Victoria where he took a professorship at Royal Roads Military College. Murray was Head of the RRMC Physics Department from 1988 to 1995. He was instrumental in the design and implementation of the Earth Observational Science program, which greatly increased undergraduate enrollment at RRMC. His ideas were so successful that they were adopted at the Royal Military College Kingston by the Physics professors that transferred there when Royal Roads was closed in 1995 by the Federal Government. At that time, Murray declined a transfer to RMC in Kingston, choosing to remain on the West Coast. He continued his career first as a remote sensing research consultant, and then teaching for many years at the Canadian Forces Fleet School (Pacific) at CFB Esquimalt. He took great joy in teaching throughout his career, and retired in 2013.

Murray’s curiosity remained strong after retirement. He found pleasure in learning piano – the more complicated the piece, the better – appealing to his puzzle solving skills. He loved his home and forested property, and always found solace in listening to and feeling the wind in the trees. He enjoyed cycling, canoeing, hiking, tent camping, and snow skiing with his family, and he and Heather took cruise trips to different parts of the world. He always had a book in hand and was an unabashed news junkie.

Murray will be remembered for his intelligence, ability to see a wider perspective, quick wit, steadfast friendships, and deep devotion as a loving husband and dad. Animals held a special place in his heart, especially the family’s cats and his beloved “grand-dogs.”

Murray is survived by, and will be missed by, his loving wife Heather Reid; his children Roberta (Victoria) and David (Kelly) (Truckee, CA); granddaughter Makayla (Victoria); cousin Sandra Levy (Victoria) and three generations of cousins in Montreal and Ottawa; sister-in-law Anne MacDonald (Maple Ridge); brother-in-law Bob Reid (Karen), and nieces and nephews in Pitt Meadows, BC, and Calgary, AB. Not to forget “grand-dogs” Ojo and Echo.

A meet-and-greet to remember Murray will be announced at a later date. Should you wish to honour Murray’s lifelong love for animals, donations in his memory may be made to the Victoria branch of the BC SPCA.

May his memory be a blessing.

The family has requested that no unauthorized or reproduction of this obituary is to be made (Le Necrologue or Echovita).

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