Edward H. Murray was born February 1st, 1931 on a farm near North Battleford, Sask. He passed away on September 20, 2006 at age 75. Spent many years in the lumber industry in B.C. Married in 1966 with Margaret Murray (who was born October 26, 1937). Founder/Editor of the Canadian Horseshoe Pitchers Yearbook (1976-77). Was editor until 1986. Received an award in 1981 from Sports Federation of Canada as outstanding horseshoe personality. Instrumental in the formation of the Battlefords Horseshoe Club. Helped form the Saskatchewan H.P.A. in 1976. Organized the Vernon, B.C. horseshoe club in 1982. His contribution to the game is tremendous.
Here is the text published in the Yearbook following is induction into the Horseshoe Canada Hall of Fame in 1989:
Jack Adams, Hall of Fame Chairman presented ED MURRAY with his Hall of Fame Plaque, and inducted Ed officially to the Horseshoe Canada Hall of Fame (pictured right). Ed Murray was inducted into the Horseshoe Canada Hall of Fame under the category of Outstanding Male Organizer/Administrator. Ed was born February lst 1931 on a farm near North Battleford, Saskatchewan. Prior to his participation in horseshoe pitching, Ed spent many years in the lumber industry, in British Columbia. He operated a cattle ranch in Saskatchewan from 1965 to 1981. He then moved to Vernon, B.C. with his wife Margaret, where he was employed as security guard. Ed started playing horseshoes in 1970 at the encouragement of his wife Margaret. He began his organizational activities in 1975 and has continued in various capacities since that time. He was instrumental in the formation of the Battlefords Horseshoe Club in 1975. He travelled throughout Saskatchewan to get first-hand information on the numerous horseshoe clubs in being at the time and succeeded in finalizing a constitution that divided the Province into eight zones which resulted in the formation of the Saskatchewan Horseshoe Players Association (in 1976). He was elected its first president and held that position for five years. The Saskatchewan Horseshoe Players association was then accepted as a member of Sask. Sport Inc. and in 1978 he was able to get its first grant to send players to the Canadian National Championships.
1976-1981 - He served as Saskatchewan member on the Canadian Horseshoe Pitching Association (1976-1978) and Horseshoe Canada (1979-1981) Executive Council. 1979-1986 - He was Public Relations Director for Horseshoe Canada. 1981 Ed received an award from Sports Federation of Canada as outstanding horseshoe pitching personality. In 1977 he won the Men’s C title in Ladysmith, BC at the Nationals. From 1977 to 1986 he was the Editor of the Canadian Horseshoe Pitchers Yearbook. This publication was the backbone of information and the means of communication for all provinces of Canada. The copyrights were turned over to Horseshoe Canada in 1987. 1979 was a great inspiration for his wife, Margaret, when she won the Canadian Ladies championship in Ottawa. In 1988 Ed Murray was elected President of Horseshoe Canada (and served up to 1991).
Ed Murray, who initiated the research on the history of horseshoe pitching in Canada, published an history of both B.C. and Saskatchewan horseshoe pitching. He also published "The adventures of Yukon Joe" (2000) and "Wanderer of the wilderness, Yukon Joe" (2002). Ed had met Yukon Joe, "the last of the mountain men", back when he worked in the lumber industry in the Prince George area.
Here is the obituary published in the Vernon Morning Star: EDWARD H. MURRAY
February 1st, 1931 - September 20th, 2006
A loving, kind husband, life companion and partner for 40 years of marriage to his wife Marguerite (My Margie). Ed loved nature and all it’s beauty, the wilderness and the great outdoors. He was a trapper, lumber jack, cattle rancher, security guard, an artist and author. For many years Ed played and loved the game of horseshoes and was always happy to be able to throw a ringer or better yet, a “double”. He organized clubs in Saskatchewan and B.C., ran many tournaments and also served with the Provincials and Canadian Horseshoe Associations and for years a member of the Vernon Club. As a sports writer, Ed published 11 Canadian Horseshoe Year Books and designed many lapel pins for both Horseshoe Canada and the Vernon Collectors Club. After retiring he published two books on the life of an old mountain man prospector and a wanderer in the wilderness. Since 1987 Ed was a member of the Vernon Collectors Club and he enjoyed the good fellowship of other collectors and the many events with the club. He liked collecting things of interest. Ed loved life and lived it the way he wanted and was fortunate to always have good health except for the last year, when his health failed.
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