West Kelowna News

John Murray made a small piece of Westside history when he was elected to the first Westbank First Nation's Advisory Council in 2005 as a director, and his fellow council members elected him their inaugural chair.

Murray, 76, died Sunday still serving as the representative of the Prairie riding on the council, and as the chairman, having been re-elected to both posts 10 months ago.

"John was highly respected and represented the Westbank First Nation community and his constituents in a most professional manner," Chief Robert Louie says of Murray.

"John was an exceptional individual and he will be sadly missed," the WFN chief says.

Murray and his wife were avid fans of the Westside Warriors for the three years the team was in West Kelowna.

Murray had pursued a career in municipal administration and served as the chief administrator of Powell River and Whistler at various points before retiring to the Okanagan.

The WFN advisory council represents the interests of the reserves' 8,000-plus non-members to the WFN's membership-elected chief and council.

A by election will be required to fill his seat on the advisory council, but no word on a date for it has been released.

John is survived by his wife Louise, daughter Jacqueline, son George, his daughter-in-law Michelle and his granddaughters Kayla and Kelsey.

A service will be held on Friday, July 10th, at the Sun Village club house, 2330 Butt Road.

Attendees are asked to make a donation to the Canadian Diabetes Association or Prostate Cancer Canada in lieu of flowers.