Obituary of Murray Eugene Teasdale

In the early morning hours of October 4th (10-4) we said goodbye to Murray Eugene Teasdale, in the Palliative Care wing of St Martha’s Regional Hospital. As one of the greater story tellers around, we’re proud to share his story for him, and hope we do it justice.

Born in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, on January 13, 1937, Murray was the second son of the late Murray Douglas and Jesse Aldora Jean (Parker) Teasdale of Hants County. Murray spent his early years working with his father in sawmills and trucking, developing a life-long pattern of hard work, positive attitude and deep connections with others. He had lots of adventures and worked alongside his brothers, Sterling, Carroll, Lowell and Gerald, all of Antigonish. As soon as he could reach the pedals, Murray drove any vehicle he could, from his first car, a Model T, to countless dozers, tractors, and trucks. He was an owner-operator of Murray Teasdale Transport, Ltd., traveling to every corner of North America, making connections with everyone he encountered. Dad believed in two principles he passed on to his children; strangers are friends you haven’t made yet, and “Without friends, you have nothing.”

At a dance in Erinville, Guysborough County, in a borrowed suit, he met Mary Cameron (MacIsaac) of Giant’s Lake, and he always said he “never saw another since.” He was much loved by his late in-laws, Duncan “The Merchant” MacIsaac and Catherine “The Ridge” (MacDonald) and was like a brother to his in-laws Grant (Joan) MacIsaac, Cordis (“Red” Johnny) MacDonald, Joe (June) MacIsaac, Jeanette Young, and Valerie MacIsaac. 

Murray and Mary spent their first years moving to where the work was for Chisholm Construction, in Lower Sackville, Newfoundland, (where he “put the water and sewer in Port Aux Basques”) and Pleasant Bay, Cape Breton, where he helped build the Cabot Trail. With their first four children in tow, they bought a property on the Dunmore Road, their home for more than 60 years. Murray and Mary made deep connections with amazing neighbours and community members. Murray also built a garage that was operated by his good friend, Lowell McLaughlin, and many heavy-duty mechanics and drivers got their start working with Dad. Weekends were full of visits to the kitchen in Dunmore by fellow drivers and friends.

Although never fully retired (he drove a truck for his son at the age of 84), Dad found a renewed happiness in his later years in the community. He held court at Tim Horton’s and St.F.X. hockey games. He loved morning senior skates, joined the curling club in St. Andrews, took up shuffleboard, enjoyed monthly lunches with the R.O.M.E.O. Club and Tuesdays having coffee at CACL, where the workers knew him as Uncle Murray. He surprised us all by joining the theatre group “Ships of 1801” as “Old Joe,” making new friends whom he cherished. He was a frequent flyer to Alberta, spending time with his family there, always making new friends wherever he went. He had an impeccable memory and was able to recount tales of early days with colour, humour, and great detail.

Murray’s legacy will always be having an appreciation for conversation, connection to others, and a good sugar cookie with tea! His friendships in later years (Chris Hackett in particular) were just as cherished as his life-long buddies. 

With his wife Mary, he is survived by his children Eugene (Donna), Adele, Sandy (Margaret), Maria (the late Ken Aldcroft), Paula, Elizabeth (Michael Coady), Robert (C. Ann Marquis), James, and Carmel (Craig Chouinard). He was “Grampie” to 21 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. He is survived by his brother Gerald (Monica) and sister in-law Isabelle Teasdale. Dad was rarely seen without his four-legged buddy, Dexter. Dad will be welcomed into Heaven by his parents, Murray and Jean, his in-laws Duncan and Catherine, his brothers Sterling, Carroll, and Lowell, granddaughter Molly, son-in-law Ken Aldcroft, and many dear friends who have gone before him. 

Visitation will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 pm Thursday, October 9, 2025 in MacIsaac Funeral Home, 61 Pleasant St., Antigonish. Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, October 10, 2025 in St. Andrew’s Church, St Andrews, Rev. Dennis Lamey presiding. Burial will follow in the South River Cemetery. Dad had a team of doctors and caregivers who became his friends throughout the years, particularly Dr. Cudmore and Dr. Bell. We are so grateful for the excellent care Dad received at St. Martha’s; Dad sang the praises of every nurse, doctor, LPN and staff member he encountered. 

As a person who loved community, we ask that you remember Dad through a donation to St. Andrew’s Parish, St. Martha’s Regional Hospital or the CACL. 

Goodbye, Murray. You truly are “the finest kind.”