A Committal Service for Mr. Francis ‘Murray’ PAY will be held at the Kerang Lawn Cemetery on WEDNESDAY (17th April, 2024) commencing at 1:00pm.
Location of the Cemetery can be found here
A Memorial Service will follow at Adams Funeral Chapel, 39 Fitzroy Street, KERANG commencing at 2:00pm.
Location of the Chapel can be found here.
We wish to encourage you to express your sympathies and condolences to the family via a post on this announcement which the family are able to access and read.
(All messages are pending the approval of staff to avoid inappropriate content).
Murray’s Chapel Service will be live streamed on WEDNESDAY (17th April, 2024) commencing at 2:00pm.
Please click on the Live Stream Tab on our main page where the service will be streamed live on WEDNESDAY.
So sorry to hear of Murray’s passing. Sending our love to Mary and Family. Wonderful memories of card night’s when Murray and Mary came over to the Ouyen Pacing Cup. Harry will always remember Murray’s “whoa boy” which he heard often whilst driving against him. RIP Murray. One of life’s gentlemen.
Sad to hear of Murray’s passing I meet Murray through a friend of mine in Brian McKinlay now deceased rest in peace Murray no more skullduggery.
Our condolences to Mary and family. Murray gave us many happy moments and left us with many treasured memories.
Bill and Pam Proud and family.
Thoughts, prayers and sympathy are with Mary and family.
My sincere condolences Mary and family.
I wish I could have been there today, fondest and cherished memories of Murray.
I was a young stranger from Melbourne who ventured to the Ouyen trotting Cup week with my horse in the 80’s. Murray took me under his wing and ensured I had a great time. But most cherished is him insisting I safely follow him back to Kerang and stay the night rather than head back to Melbourne through the night. I have to say there were times I thought it might have been safer to head back to Melbourne rather than try to keep up with Murray!
No mobile phones then and I doubt Mary knew Murray was dragging home another for dinner. I met the lovely Mary (Mrs Pay) and was welcomed warmly and met one of the boys and Kerrie. No problems at all I was to sleep in one of the boy’s bed for the night.
My horse was stabled and Murray fed her the nicest oaten chaff I’d seen and I had the privilege of seeing Murray’s trophy room. It was amazing.
Over the following years I was fortunate to race against Murray throughout northern Victoria, always catching up with his big genuine smile. I remember his “wee pet”s throughout the races and one night he had reason to protest against me winning. My wayward horse bumped Murray and Murray’s horse went out into another horse. Upon pulling up after the finish line I asked Murray if he was going to protest, I thought he had every right to. Fortunately again for me, with a big grin “no mate, you’re right but I don’t know about the young lass we bumped”.
A wonderful man, a wonderful bloke, will never forget Murray.
With all my sincerity Mary and family,
Wayne Hayes
Deepest sympathy to Mary and family at this time of loss. Murray will be missed by many in the Harness Racing community. A true gentleman and valued friend.
Sincere condolences to Mary, Gary, Bruce, Kerrie & Families.
Murray was such a genuine person who will be sadly missed. A very knowledgeable football coach who taught so much. I will never forget his following statement, “Getting the ball is only 50% of the job. Doing something with it is the other 50%!”
He was also a well respected person in the trotting industry and I was lucky enough to see him drive a double at the old Mooney Valley track.
A life well lived.
Rest in peace Murray.
(Unfortunately I can’t attend the funeral service due to illness.)
Jim Hirst
A true man to his word
To Mary and Kerrie and family, Robin & family, Murray will be missed in so many ways. What a great man to pass after a fantastic life. Wonderful husband, father, sportsman but best of all a great human to all that knew Murray, my dear friend.
Les McKinnon.
To Mary and family, great memories of Murray and times spent together training our horses. He was a great inspiration to many people both in the harness industry and the many sports he enjoyed.
Sorry we are unable to attend his Memorial Service.
Andrew and Anne Grogan
Condolences to Mary and the family on the passing of Murray. He was a genuinely good man who had a positive influence on all who knew him. Still have great memories of the times spent with Murray, mainly involving the local footy, where he remains the best coach I ever had.
Vale Murray, and thoughts are with the family today.
Sincere condolences to Mary, Bruce, Gary, Kerrie and families, on the passing of Murray. A truly remarkable man of our community. Graham Wyte
On behalf of Lyle (Murray’s sister) and all of us Wellingtons up in Qld, we are thinking of you at this difficult time. Our thoughts will be with you during the service and Lyle will be watching online.
From Lyle- ‘I’ll have so many wonderful memories that I’ll treasure of Murray and his trotting horses, playing bowls, football and tennis. I loved sitting on the back of Murray’s motorbike and going to the movies and dances with him in Kerang as a teenager. Rest in peace, til we meet again.’
With love from the Wellingtons- Lyle, Yasmin and family (Lyle’s Grandaughter), Julie, Peter and Jenny xx
We are so sorry to hear of Murray’s death. His was certainly a life well lived. We offer our condolences to Mary, Bruce, Gary, Kerrie and families.
Geoff & Bronwyn Hunt
Sincere condolences Mary, Bruce, Gary, Kerrie and families on the passing of a true gentleman Murray.
Sending our love and thoughts, Terry & Wilma Brooker
Thinking of you all, especially Mary ❤️
I will miss Murray and his cheeky grin, no more “G’day mate how are you?” Now it’s “See ya later mate”.
Rest in peace Muzza.
Deepest sympathy to Mary, Horace, Ned & Kerrie on the loss of Murray, a great neighbour and friend, one of life’s true gentlemen, RIP Murray.
Colin & Marion Brown.
Deepest sympathy to Mary, Bruce, Gary, Kerrie and families.
Our thoughts are with you all at this sad time.
A legend of the red and black.
Mick & Sue Treacy and family.
Our sincere condolences to Mary & the Pay family on the passing of Murray, our prayers and thoughts are with you at this sad time.
Ann & Michael McAlister.
Deepest sympathy to Mary, Bruce, Gary and Kerrie from the Treacy Family. I had the privilege to play most of my football (not well) beside Murray in the backline. He always encouraged you to do better, as he did when he coached many Wandella teams to be winners. It was a great pleasure to have known such a wonderful man.
Jim Treacy.
To Mrs Pay and all of your family, I will always remember Mr Pay, Murray whistling his horses on as they ran around at the Kerang trials. Harness racing won’t be the same without the purple colours. Thinking of you all during this difficult time.
Deepest sympathy to Mary and family on the loss of Murray.
A great bloke and a hard player on the footy field
Chic Dee
To Mary, Bruce, Gary and Kerrie. We were saddened to hear of the passing of Murray. Our thoughts are with you and your families.
We still have fond memories of the friendship and hospitality offered to us over fifty years ago.
No matter what sport Murray will be remembered for his “love of the contest”. Rest in peace Murray.
Sincere thoughts and condolences to Mary, Bruce, Gary and families. Great memories of footy at Wandella, & trotting times with Bill, Guy & Allan Robinson, with their love of the horses. RIP Murray
Deepest sympathy to Mary, Bruce, Garry and Kerri for your sad loss of Murray One of Nature’s Gentlemen RIP Murray
Deepest sympathy to Mary, Bruce, Gary, Kerrie and families on the passing of Murray-a life well lived. Unfortunately we are unable to attend Murray’s funeral – we will be thinking of you all. Ken & Marge Charleson
Dear Mary, Bruce , Gary and Kerrie , our sincere condolences. I am not able to attend Murray’s farewell service but my thoughts will be with you.
Mary and family, am sorry to hear of Murray’s passing. My thoughts are with you.
To Mary and family deepest sympathy , he loved his trotting horse
Deepest sympathy to Mary, Bruce, Gary & Kerrie and families on the passing of Murray.
He will be fondly remembered from his time in Glenarm.
As was his usual reply, “see you later mate”!
Dear Mary, Bruce , Gary and Kerrie , my sincere condolences. I am not able to attend Murray’s farewell service but my thoughts will be with you.
Our deepest sympathy to Mary Bruce Gary Kerrie and their families, Murray will be missed by family and his many friends.
Don & Jacqui Jenkins
Thinking of Mary, Bruce, Gary & Kerry and families at this sad time.
Some beautiful tributes on here summing up what a lovely & talented bloke Murray was and his
wisdom. A great neighbour to the Wilkinsons over many years.
A good innings, a well lived life and served his community well.
For this Farmer, the worries are over.
To Mary, Bruce, Gary, Kerrie and your extended families, may we offer our sincere condolences on your loss of Murray. A man who always stuck up for his mates, of which George & Edward were in that circle. George & Murray would have played 300 games of Football together at Wandella and undoubtedly a similar number of bowls.
When Edward started bowls he was invited into that team — Wandella Fella’s and under Murray’s guidance had considerable success.
Some of Murray’s quotes that will always be around:-
At Football: Your feet are for running , and your brain is for thinking, USE THEM BOTH.
If you have got the ball they can not score, so get it and give it to a mate.
You never talk FIGHT with your hands in your pocket, so be ready when they bounce the ball.
At Bowls: Short bowls don’t win many ends, behind you have always got a chance.
Don’t loose your bowl, it is no good to us up on the bank.
Later when not skipper – I left it to you, I covered the back, I know you will have it under control.
Sitting in the “LIFE MEMBERS STAND” at Wandella next to Murray will never be the same — with a COUPLE of elbows in the ribs — “DID YOU SEE THAT?”
Murray, your family will miss you, and so will those who crossed your path during your lifetime, A WONDERFUL MAN, ENJOY YOUR REST MURRAY.
George / Edward and our Families.
Deepest sympathy to Mary and family on the passing of Murray, a good friend to my late father Olly. Lynne and Les Crichton (Jane)
To Mary and family, we wish to offer our deepest sympathies to you all ..Murray was a great bloke taught me so much about the love that we both had for the harness racing game..go drive some winners up there in the sky Murray…🐴🐴
Deepest sympathy to Mary, Bruce, Gary, Kerrie and extended family on the loss of Murray. My thoughts are with you all at this sad time. Many special memories of great times in Glenarm. “Three good meals a day, and a nice warm bed, what more could you want?”
Dear Mary, Bruce, Gary, Kerrie & Families. So many wonderful memories of times spent with Murray at Wandella where he is a legend and in later times at Glenarm. Am going to miss those times and the farewell of “ See ya Matey”!! Love to you all Barb, Rob, Tania, Kym, Vicki, Tegan & Families. Our apologies to you all as we will be unable to attend Murray’s farewell but will do so online!
Fond memories of Murray over the years & his love of harness racing & the Wandella footy club. Our condolences to all the family.
Ron & Katie (Bargara)
To Mary, Bruce, Gary, Kerrie and families. Our deepest sympathy to you all on the loss of Murray. A great character with a wonderful sense of humour which we all enjoyed. Well respected Wandella Bomber’s man through and through. Great memories are here to keep. Your memories will be flowing through at this time, with many smiles for the man who was a figurehead in your lives. Sleep peacefully Murray a wonderful life well lived. Sorry we will not be home to attend Murray’s funeral, but our thoughts are with you all.
Graeme & Lorraine
Thoughts are with you all. Another page has turned.
Sincere condolences to you Mary and family. Murray was such a character. Thinking of you all.
Craig and Kyllie McGrath x
Dear Mary and family our condolences on the passing of Murray.
John and Helen Olcorn
Deepest sympathy to Mary, Bruce and family. Thinking of you at this sad time.
Love Danny & Corina
Dear Mary, Bruce, Gary, Kerrie and families, our sincere sympathy and love to you all as we give thanks for the privilege of sharing good times with Murray as a friend and bowling mate. Kevin & Gayle
Deepest sympathy to Dear Mary, Gary, Bruce, Kerrie and families on the passing of Murray. A life well lived and now at rest. Thinking of you all. Sorry I am unable to attend Murray’s farewell. Xx
To dear Mary and family, so very sorry for your loss of Murray. Thinking of you all very much.
Love Beth and Rex xxx
You are all in my thoughts, Mary, Bruce, Gary and Kerrie and the extended families. A lot of great memories for you all to cherish throughout Murray’s 94 years. A long life, well lived… Now at rest. 🐎 🚜 🏉
Deepest sympathy to Mary, Gary, Bruce,& Kerry .
Fond memories of Murray.
A wonderful full life with many interests.
A life well lived.
From Gayle & Russell Wishart & family
Fond memories of Murray coaching me in footy at Wandella and trying unsuccessfully to teach me how to do a pushup! What a legend of a man, love to all the family.
Brett and Jodi Condely and Family.