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HAMILTON has farewelled 76 year-old Murray William Burchell, a selfless grandfather who spent his life giving to his family and the region.
Mr Burchell, originally from Gritjurk, attended Coleraine State School before leaving to help his father with milking cows and rabbiting on the farm.
He went on to try sales and worked for the Land Department poisoning rabbits until settling in to a long and happy career painting.
Always involved in sports, a young Mr Burchell played tennis, football and table tennis and he recently made some deep friendships playing croquet.
It was in the main street of Coleraine that Mr Burchell met the love of his life, Jill. The couple married in 1964 and had two children, Christine and Darren.
Mr Burchell took great pride in his painting, working at Hamilton College for 20 years before retiring.
In a tragic car accident, his son and father of two, Darren, was killed.
After some quiet time in Condah the Burchells moved closer to their daughter and her family in Hamilton.
“One of his greatest joys during this time was to spend time with Jami, Aiden and William watching them growing up and playing their sports,” Reverend Peter Cook said at the funeral service.
Rev Cook said Mr Burchell was known for the care he showed to others.
“When Murray became ill, his main concern was to hide his pain to protect his family,” he said.
“Murray always considered others before himself throughout his whole life.”
Read Mr Burchell’s full story in today’s Spectator.
