Murray McInnis will be remembered not only as a dedicated and caring family man, but also for his tireless work promoting the cause of the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Mr. McInnis died suddenly at his home on May 6, 2008. He was 75.

Born in Parry Sound on July 22, 1932, Mr. McInnis was educated there and began his working life as a grocery boy at the A&P store, a company with which he would remain for 40 years.

He married his high school sweetheart, Barbara, on May 15, 1953. The couple had six children.

The McInnis family moved to Huntsville in 1964, when Mr. McInnis was promoted to assistant manager of the A&P store in Huntsville. At that time, the store was situated on Main Street and managed by Hank Bennetts.

In 1974, Mr. McInnis was offered the management position of the A&P store in Bracebridge and made the daily commute from Huntsville until a major heart attack forced an early retirement in 1989.

Mr. McInnis, who survived not only one heart attack, but three (and one of those was accompanied by a stroke), decided to volunteer his time to the work carried out by the Heart and Stroke Foundation following his recovery. At that time, the only presence the foundation had in the area was through its annual February door-to-door campaign and memoriam donations.

“It was the miracle of recovery from his heart attack that made him want to do something to pay back,” said Mr. McInnis’ daughter, Debra.

Within a short period of time, Mr. McInnis became president of the Huntsville chapter and realized there was a need for more of a local presence. To that end, he organized a meeting on June 10, 1991, which was held in the Huntsville District Memorial Hospital boardroom. Mr. McInnis stressed to the group that there was a real need for a local association, especially in the areas of patient and family support and education. Most important, he said, was the task of fundraising for ongoing medical research.

The local chapter was presented with its charter just one year later in September 1992.

Mr. McInnis was also instrumental in the organization of an eight-week course offered to survivors of heart attacks as well as those who suffer from heart disease. For more than 15 years, he was considered the backbone of the Huntsville chapter of the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Despite the hours spent volunteering, Mr. McInnis always had time for his family. “He loved going on his boat and taking his grandchildren and the dogs for a swim. He loved to camp and picnic,” Debra recalled.

 Mr. McInnis never refused a request from his family. “Mom would always say, ‘Dad will do that, or Dad will help,’ and he never said no. He was always so well organized, so efficient. He helped us all move in and out of universities and homes,” said Debra. She added: “Sometimes there would be 22 or 24 of us for dinner. Dad was never happier than when we were all there.”

Mr. McInnis was an active member of All Saints’ Anglican Church. He enjoyed all sports, and was a Blue Jays and Montreal Canadiens fan. He and his young son, John, would often watch hockey together. He also loved history and the arts and music, especially the big band sounds of Glenn Miller and the Scottish bagpipes. He enjoyed helping the Muskoka Music Men in their endeavours, and for a while was a valued board member of the Huntsville Festival of the Arts.

 “Murray was the model volunteer, not just for the Festival of the Arts, but for many other charitable organizations in our community. He never complained and was always willing to help out in whatever way he could. Even as his health failed he would always put the needs of others ahead of his own,” said festival general manager Rob Saunders.

Mr. McInnis was predeceased by his wife, Barbara on Nov. 13, 2003. He is survived by his children, Debra and her husband Andrew Knight, Sudbury, Diane and her husband Barry Austin, North Bay, Cheryl and her husband David Groomes, Huntsville, Patricia and her husband Mark Hayward, Huntsville, John McInnis, Kirkland Lake, and Sarah McInnis, Huntsville. He was loving Grampy to eight grandchildren, Katherine, Carolyn, Michael, Laura, James, Emily, Anna and Joseph. Mr. McInnis is further survived by four brothers: Calvin (June), George (Lois), Donald and Neil.

Funeral services were held at All Saints’ Anglican Church on Saturday, May 10  2008 with the Ven. Dawn Henderson officiating. A reception followed at Sutherland Hall.

 At the request of the family, donations in Mr. McInnis’ name can be made to the Huntsville Animal Shelter, or to the camp program through Family, Youth and Child Services of Muskoka. For donation information contact Billingsley Funeral Home at 789-8982.