We Remember

JOYCE, Murray Russell

May 10, 1931 — October 24, 2026

Murray Russell Joyce, born May 10, 1931, in Creston, BC, to parents M. Russell Joyce “Russ” and Margaret E. Joyce. He was predeceased by his sister, Kathleen Norris (Richard) and his wife D’Arcy Sneath, who he married on August 23, 1958 (d: 2022). He leaves behind his daughter, Nancy; son, Gordon (Lindsay), and grandchildren, Wade, Keefer, Adele, Elisa, and great-grandchildren, Marley and Kamara (Richert).

Growing up in Creston, Murray was active in high school basketball, curling, and baseball. He played for the only Canadian team in the American Legion Junior Baseball League and later played with the senior men’s baseball team. Both leagues played on Sundays in Idaho and Montana. Murray graduated from Creston Valley Jr/Sr High School and UBC with a BCom degree.

Murray was the President/Chairman of the following organizations: Kelowna International Regatta, Central Okanagan Boy Scouts’ Association, and the Gyro Club of Kelowna. He was a Director of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, founding director of the City of Kelowna Arts Foundation, Director of Thompson-Okanagan Senior Men’s Golf Association, and a volunteer at the Kelowna General Hospital in the Snackery for 23 years.

Murray participated in golf (joined the Kelowna Golf & Country Club in 1960 by paying $25 for a family membership). He also enjoyed tennis and downhill skiing at Big White, where he was the Director of Nancy Greene Ski Racing for a time.

He was a teacher, elementary vice-principal, and retired as principal of Okanagan Mission Secondary School in 1991.

He was the founder of the Royal & Ancient United Girdle, Garter & Golf Society – an eightsome of Kelowna Gyro Members who played regularly – rain, shine, frozen turf and greens – on Saturday mornings at the Kelowna Golf & Country Club for over 50 years. He was the last survivor of the eightsome, and the group continued to play with, as time passed, associates for many more years before ceasing to exist.

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields
and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

(an Irish Prayer)

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