May 27, 1931 - January 9, 2022
Murray Lawrence Biggin died peacefully in his sleep at Whitehorse General Hospital on January 9, 2022, at the age of 90.
Murray was born May, 27, 1931, Clinton, Ontario, Canada. The eldest of five children, Murray attended Sandwich Collegiate Institute high school and left before graduating to join the Royal Canadian Air Force after WWII. He was posted at bases in Canada, Germany and England.
After leaving the air force he drove Greyhound Buses, trained for long-haul driving in northern Canada and managed the Beaver Creek airport for seven years with his son Jeff, who continued for 20 years more. Murray settled in Yukon in 1973 and, though far from Ontario, he kept in contact with family and friends, new and life-long. In Whitehorse, he thrived in the company of many thoughtful neighbours and attentive medical supervision.
Murray had a great love for flying, visiting air museums and attending air shows wherever he travelled. He volunteered for more than 30 years at the Yukon Transportation Museum in Whitehorse and was an honorary member of the museum's Board of Directors. He most enjoyed translating history to visitors and meeting people from different countries and cultures. Murray owned his own airplane and volunteered for the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA), often focusing on finding remnants of historical aircraft lost due to poor terrain, weather, or lack of familiarity of the area. One of the historical planes recovered was restored by volunteers and stands as a monument at the Transportation Museum in Whitehorse.
Murray is survived by his son Jeff (Liza) Biggin, daughter Lori Biggin, his grandson Michael (Gillian) Biggin, two great-grandsons, his sister, Dawn (Biggin) Saville, and by cousins Shirley Kay Cookson, Douglas Jones, Anne (Robert) Lawson and Lewis (Babs) Tebbutt. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, and loyal friends including Lynda Biggin, Michael Brauer, and Janna Swales. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marion (Jones) and W. Lawrence Biggin. and his siblings, Robert Biggin, Beverly (Biggin) Addison, and T. Bruce Biggin.