It is with great sadness and much love that we announce the peaceful passing of Robert Murray Spotton at the age of 84 on October 2nd, 2024. Murray was surrounded by his family at the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital following a courageous fight with a complicated illness.

Murray leaves behind a special legacy within his family which provided him great pride. Loving husband of 46 years to Vera (née Pike) and their children Diana Kealey (Devin), David Spotton (Cindy) and Audra Crawford (Greg). "Grumps" as he was affectionately known as loved his grandchildren Daniel, Tyler, Matthew, Rachel, Danielle (Mike), Alyssa (Dave) dearly. He enjoyed his great grand babies Scarlett, Ella and Sienna very much and he will be watching over as another little one arrives in May.

Predeceased by his parents Harris and Loretta Spotton (née Nichol), his mother-in-law Blanche Pike, his beloved wife Pamela (née Mathews) and her parents Teresa and Richard Mathews.

He will be sadly missed by his entire extended Mathews and Pike families, his friends including the "Old Farts Coffee Club" at Tim's, his neighbours, and his visiting grand pups Kobe and Ozzy. He will be especially missed by Perry Pike (Christina & Bradley) who considered Murray a bonus father figure.

Murray was born in the small town of Brussels, Ontario on April 19, 1940. His family moved to Windsor when his Dad was hired by the Ford Motor Company hence his lifelong loyalty to the brand. He always took pride in the roots of his hard working parents. He spent most of his summers back on the farm where he enjoyed his time with his cousins. At the age of 19, Murray ventured out on his own to Toronto with the Toledo Scale Company.

In Toronto he married his wife Pam and proudly became a Firefighter with the City of Toronto and started their family. They moved to Oakville in 1971, where he resided for the rest of his life. Sadly, Pam lost her courageous battle with cancer and at the age of 36 Murray did his best comfort and care for his two young children.

In 1978, Murray married Vera, who is the kindest, salt of the earth woman one could imagine. Murray was an only child, but with Vera came along her big welcoming family from Newfoundland. Murray was happily  "screeched in" and became a loyal member of the Pike family. Vera embraced her new role and they worked together to build a good life for their family.  Murray's strong desire to provide well for his family often had him working around the clock but somehow he never failed to miss a soccer game.  In addition to being a Firefighter he also owned and operated two small businesses: Crown Services and The Shade Shop on Cross Ave. He was a dedicated father, an excellent provider with a strong work ethic who was always there to lend a hand and open his door to help others.

In retirement, Murray enjoyed the simple things in life: delicious home cooked meals, reading, travel, putting in the last piece a puzzle, watching his grandkids games, and driving his truck to the Lakeshore to spend time with his friends, but without question, his biggest joy was being with his family.

Murray, aka "Big Mur", "Grumps" was a kind, generous, dedicated, proud family man who always put others first.  We will carry our memories of him with us forever.

Visitation will be held at the Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home at 64 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville ON, on Sunday October 6th from 2:00 pm-5:00 pm with words of remembrance being shared at 3:pm.

Murray's family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the hard working, caring staff on 3 South and the ICU at the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society in Murray's name would be greatly appreciated.