Haliburton County came to a collective standstill last week as locals heard of the death of one of the community’s greatest champions: Dysart et al mayor Murray Fearrey.
The longtime municipal politician died May 28, aged 84. He passed peacefully, surrounded by his partner Donna McCallum and family. He had been in poor health after a recent fall at home.
Murray was one of the longest tenured politicians in Canadian history, with more than 50 years of service. He was first elected to Dysart council in 1971 before becoming reeve (mayor) in 1975 – a position he held for many terms. He served as warden of Haliburton County a dozen times.
He was acclaimed as Dysart’s head of council in 2022, spending the past threeand-a-half years progressing several projects he thought were pivotal to the community’s long-term future.
“Politics was Murray’s life… he loved Haliburton. He truly believed we could do anything as a community. He worked hard to make Haliburton a better place,” Donna told The Highlander in a June 1 interview.
“He was so proud to live in Haliburton. He spent his whole life here. He always talked about progress, wanting to see the community grow – and making sure we were prepared for that growth. I see his influence everywhere in this community.”
Dysart et al deputy mayor Walt McKechnie said Haliburton County lost a true community titan. He first met Murray in the 1970s when, as a National Hockey League player, he was helping out at a prominent local hockey school.
The pair stayed in touch and became friends, with Murray eventually serving as the launching pad for McKechnie’s political career 16 years ago.
“There weren’t many days since when I have not seen or talked to Murray. We were very close. He had his finger on the pulse always and was so committed to this place,” McKechnie said.
The deputy mayor said he found it difficult between 2018 and 2022 without his longtime friend. So much so, he admitted he was the one who made the call to initiate Fearrey’s return.
“He was the best man for the job – and looking at everything we’ve been able to accomplish as a council over the past threeand-a-half, I’d say it was the right call. Right up until the end, he was doing whatever he could to make Dysart and the County a better place,” McKechnie said.
Murray championed the $1.725 million purchase of 92 acres on County Road 21, deeming it the last available and suitable property for the town to grow. The township has invested ever since, with plans to launch a $3-million community bond program to pave the way for residential development. There is also land for a new long-term care facility and, potentially, an arena.
Beyond that, McKechnie said Murray had been instrumental in progressing the expansion of the township’s water treatment facility, bringing the Gardens of Haliburton retirement residence, and advocating for facilities such as J.D. Hodgson Elementary School, the Haliburton School of Art + Design, and the Haliburton hospital. He also played a key role in securing the land that today houses Head Lake Park from the Canadian National Railway Co.
“In a world of talkers, Murray was a doer. Just look around town, around this County. So many of the major things that we have, that have been done, he’s had a hand in. Murray Fearrey is oneof-a-kind. He lived and breathed Haliburton County, loved going into town to talk to people. There will never be another like him.”
Genuine
Murray was as genuine as a person could be, Donna said, noting he was the same at home as inside council chambers.
“He was a kind, humble and caring man. He liked to watch what was going on, take it all in, before reacting. And he had a great sense of humour. He could really see the absurdity in things,” Donna said.
The couple were together 35 years. Murray was a second father to Donna’s three children – Paul, Leigh and Heather, and affectionately known as “Gramps” by her three grandchildren. He also has a daughter, Brenda, from a previous relationship.
In his working life, Murray started out as a municipal assessor for Dysart before joining Ken Wilson as a partner in Haliburton Lumber – now Haliburton Timber Mart – in 1969. He worked there with Wilson until his retirement in 2007. Murray loved fishing and golfing and was a proud member of Haliburton Rotary and the North Entrance Masonic Lodge for many years.
Donna said the outpouring of support over the past week has been heartwarming. She’s heard many stories with the same message – that the Haliburton Murray helped create has encouraged others to build their lives and raise their own families here.
There have been many suggestions of ways to honour Murray, including renaming Head Lake Park or the Haliburton hospital in his honour. McKechnie wants to see the municipal building at 135 Maple Ave. named after his longtime mentor.
“I think it would be fitting to have his name on the building he spent so much time in over the past 50 years. Up until about six months ago, he was in there three or four times a week. In his earlier years, he was there every day,” McKechnie said. “When you turn that corner from Highland Street onto Maple Avenue, I want people to see his name at the end of the road in shining lights.
A visitation is being held at Haliburton Community Funeral Home June 5 from 1 to 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be given to the Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation to support the emergency department.
