JOSHUA ALLAN
The 1510 West

Many longtime residents of Pointe Claire were saddened to hear of the passing of former mayor William “Bill” McMurchie on Jan. 1 at the age of 93 in Toronto. Though the McMurchie family is still organizing the details of their father’s forthcoming celebration of life, one thing is certain: he will be laid to rest in Pointe Claire, likely this spring.

“It’s a special place, and will always be home,” McMurchie’s daughter Lyne told The 1510 West last Friday, detailing her father’s deep connection to the community.

“Pointe Claire was where he met the love of his life, where he built our beautiful family home, and where he had an opportunity to serve. He was a special man,” she wrote in an email.

Born and raised in the small town of Paynton, Saskatchewan, McMurchie moved to Montreal as a student in 1956. It wasn’t long after that he met and married Denise Chartrain, with whom he shared his life for 65 years.

McMurchie spent 57 years in public service for both Pointe Claire and Montreal. This included serving as mayor of Pointe Claire for 15 years, during which he manned the helm as the city demerged from the City of Montreal. McMurchie was also responsible for opening the West Island’s first Ecocentre, reducing speed limits on city streets and protecting the city’s shoreline ecosystems. He was mayor until his retirement in 2013.

Many Pointe Claire residents and elected officials took to social media to share their fond memories of McMurchie following his passing.

Lac-Saint-Louis MP Francis Scarpaleggia called him “one of the most down-to-earth, principled and clear-eyed politicians I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.”

Jean-Pierre Grenier, who served as a councillor during McMurchie’s administration, called him a “true leader.”

Former Montreal Gazette reporter Dave Stubbs commended his “kindness and generosity.”

“He was wise and witty and kind to his core,” wrote Lyne of her father. “He never lost his sense of humour or his respectful demeanour. He charmed people until his last days. We appreciate all the comments and memories people of the West Island have shared.”

McMurchie is survived by his wife Denise, his three children – Kathleen, Neil and Lyne – as well as his six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A private memorial service will be held in Toronto. The family is planning a public celebration of his life in Pointe Claire at some point this spring, as well as laying McMurchie to rest at St. Joachim parish’s cemetery on St. Jean Blvd., across from the Pointe Claire City Hall.

In the meantime, the City of Pointe Claire has lowered its flags to half-staff in his honour.