Dr. W. Murray Esler – DVM
Son, Father, Brother, Partner, Grandpa, Friend
19 June 1941- 15 March 2019
It is with great sorrow that the family wishes to announce that on Friday, March 15, 2019, Dr. Murray Esler (DVM) died suddenly. Murray was born at Freemason’s hospital in Morden on June 19, 1941; the youngest son of Bill and Jean Esler.
He attended Silver Spring School from Grades 1-8, LaRiviere for Junior High, and graduated Grade 12 from Pilot Mound Collegiate. He then managed the family farm for a year before moving to Ontario to attend Veterinary College in Guelph, graduating in 1965.
Returning to Winnipeg with his then-wife Anne (Heyens) and their first child, Nancy, in 1971 he founded Centennial Animal Hospital on Pembina Highway in Fort Garry as a mixed animal practice. In 1986, he established E&M Veterinary Consultants, which he later retired from in 2011 after 46 years of mostly large animal veterinary practice.
He served as a volunteer for the Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association as President, Secretary, and member of the Peer Review Committee for which he received an award of Merit. He was active in the Manitoba Government Veterinary Services Board as Chairman, as well as other positions.
Murray was also active in his local community, as a founder of the St Norbert Community Club; early member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Club and the Founder of the South Perimeter Ducks Unlimited Committee.
He maintained an interest in farming through livestock production, owning beef cattle and swine operations in Manitoba and throughout his years owned racehorses and supported the horse racing community.
Murray was active in sports, coaching hockey at the community club, curling, downhill skiing with the family, bird and big game hunting, fishing – both freshwater and deep sea.
Sports led to a lot of travelling in Canada and around the world. He travelled extensively to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Cuba the Caribbean and most memorably, China. Other hobbies included gardening and working hunting dogs.
Murray is survived by his partner of 25 years, Marian Watts of Winnipeg; three children Nancy Esler (Peter Macdonald; children Kate and Emily), Bill Esler (Katrina; children Bianca and Lara) and Virginia Warner (Dean Warner; daughter Nina) of Australia; step-daughter Lisa Ethier (Lionel Ethier; children Abigail and Matthew); step-son Tim Watts (daughter Clarelle); sister Lois Creith of Manitou; and brother-in-law, Roy McLaren of Crystal City along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by his parents, Bill and Jean; brothers Roy, Keith, Elwood and John K; sister Alice McLaren; sisters-in-law Anne-Marie, Edwina, Marlyne and Patricia; brother-in-law Robert Creith; nephew David McLaren and niece Cindy Johnston.
Dr. Esler’s family would like to especially thank the staff of the Winnipeg Fire and Paramedic Service, the Health Sciences Centre and his long-time doctor Roland Hayward.
His family has asked for a private cremation and memorial gathering in line with his wishes.
In lieu of flowers, if desired, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation; hsf.donorportal.ca, 1379 Kenaston Blvd Winnipeg, MB R3P 2T5 and/or CancerCare Manitoba Foundation at cancercare.mb.ca 1160-675 McDermot Ave Winnipeg, MB R3E OV9.
2 thoughts on “Dr W. Murray Esler – DVM”
I am saddened to hear of Dr. Esler’s passing. He helped me out when I was in a real jam a long, long, long time ago. I was a newly minted vet armpit deep in the abdomen of a HUGE Holstein cow attempting to correct an LDA I didn’t have a hope in heck of performing with my little spaghetti arms. I had no one to help me. My boss was away. I was alone. So I called Dr. Esler, who certainly had no obligation to help me, at a clinic located in his area of practice. He swooped in like my blessed guardian angel and with a swoop of one of his mighty arms had that dang thing back in place in mere seconds. I could have cried. I babbled my gratitude but I don’t know if he would have believed I still talk about that moment to this day. Dr. Esler, my knight in shining armor! What an impression he made on me that stressful day so many years ago. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.
I wish to express my sincere condolences to Marian and Murray’s entire family on hearing of his passing. I was fortunate enough to have known Murray for the entirety of my career and even my early days as a student. Murray was truly the epitome of what being a veterinarian should be. Not only in the way he conducted himself with his clients and colleagues but through his service to the profession and the community. I will also fondly remember those evenings sharing a drink in the LaSalle Curling Club after a hard fought but friendly game. Although our paths seldom crossed these past 10 years I will always remember his presence in my life and am fortunate to have known him.