Obituary of Murray Ross Riddell

Murray Ross Riddell, 79, of Winnipeg, passed away on August 8, 2024. Born on November 16, 1944, on the homestead in Margaret, Manitoba, he was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and a cherished band leader in Manitoba’s music community.

Murray lived a full and vibrant life, deeply rooted in music. Growing up in a musical household, his mother, Maxine, played piano and sang in the church choir, while his father, Philip, played saxophone. Their love of music profoundly influenced Murray, who spent many hours learning to play the piano, guitar, clarinet, and both alto and tenor saxophones. This led him to join The Riddell Band with his father, Uncle Ross, and brother, Brian. Weekends were often spent traveling to towns in southwestern Manitoba to play Friday and Saturday night dances where swing music reigned supreme.

At 18, Murray moved to Winnipeg and began a 32-year career with Manitoba Telecom Services. Starting as a programmer using stacks of punch cards, he worked his way up to become the Manager of Capital and Expense Programs for the Information Systems Technology Department. At 51, Murray accepted an early retirement package with a handshake and a smile.

After moving to Winnipeg, Murray met the love of his life, Connie.  They fell in love while dancing at The Elks Club and married in 1970. Murray passed away just a few days shy of their 54^th wedding anniversary.  Murray was a wonderful dancer and if you were lucky enough to get him to step off the bandstand, he’d whisk you around the floor like you were floating on air. He promised Connie one waltz at every dance he played, and if either of his daughters was in attendance, he might sneak in another. Together, Murray and Connie, built a life in the community of The Maples in Winnipeg, where their three great kids were born and raised. Murray passed on his love and talent for sports, music, and the arts to his children and grandchildren, who were fortunate to inherit a small measure of his talent.  

Murray was an exceptional athlete. He grew up playing hockey and baseball. In 1973 he was a key player for the Winnipeg Colonels Senior Men’s Fastball Team, which was inducted into the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame in 2007 for bringing the first Western Manitoba Fastball League championship to Winnipeg. As an outstanding third baseman, Murray traveled across western Canada playing ball. After hanging up his cleats, he spent many winters curling at the West Kildonan Curling Club, winning several bonspiels, and summers golfing at Sandy Hook Golf Club and Rossmere Country Club. He also spent many hours perfecting his sweet swing and practicing his short game in the fields behind his house. In his early retirement years, if he wasn’t sitting at the kitchen table playing his clarinet, you would find him outside hitting golf balls. Over the last several years, Murray thoroughly enjoyed his weekly golf games with “the group of 8” that played courses in, and around, Winnipeg.

Murray was a gifted artist. Taking up oil painting in the 80’s, he learned techniques from Bill Alexander, and Bob Ross on PBS. He painted beautiful mountains, meandering rivers, blue skies with fluffy white clouds, and happy little trees that came to life on his canvas. His creations will be cherished by those that received his works of art.

In his retirement, Murray redirected his energy to music, creating, leading, and playing with numerous bands. He was especially talented at arranging music charts, spending countless hours writing, arranging, printing, and preparing them for his bands and others. We considered Murray to be Winnipeg’s “King of Swing”. He brought immense joy to those who had the privilege to play with him in the band, to be led by him with quiet confidence and infinite patience, to hear him play, or to dance the night away to his music. His clarinet solos, reminiscent of Artie Shaw and Benny Goodman, were always a highlight, especially when he played “Begin the Beguine” or “Memories of You”.

Murray is survived by his wife, Connie; son, Christopher (Shannon); daughters, Jillian and Debra; and grandchildren, Caine, Carter, Jackson, and Caleigh; sisters, Phylis (Craig) and Donna, and brother, Gord (Hazel). He is predeceased by his father, Philip, mother, Maxine, and brothers, Grant and Brian.

A Celebration of Life will be held on September 23, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at The Royal Canadian Legion, 462 Osborne St.

All are welcome to attend to celebrate Murray's life and legacy. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to CancerCare Manitoba, or any Winnipeg Music Organization in Murray’s honor.