Garrett Murray

Garrett Joseph Murray, age 90, passed away peacefully at EnnisCourt in Lakewood on October 14, 2023. He was preceded in death by his mother, Florence Murray, and his soulmate Geraldine, to whom he was wed for 59 years. His family is comforted by the idea of Gar and Ger reunited and dancing again; their moves were so good, people stopped in their tracks to watch.

Together, they raised a loving family of four girls, who were Garrett’s pride and joy: Lynn (James) Murray-Coleman of Pittsburgh; Katie Murray of Lakewood; Anne (Dan) MacRitchie of Exeter, N.H.; and Nora Murray of San Francisco. He shamelessly bragged about his 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren: Garrett, Kieran, and Conor Coleman and their respective children Eibhilín, Eóghan, and Cillian; Maeve, Emma, and Brendan Ours; Clare, Aidan, and Eily MacRitchie; and Garrett Tobin Murray.

Garrett always had a positive mindset and taught his family to face adversity with grace, humility, and faith. Some of his favorite sayings were: “Offer it up to God,” “Remember, someone has it worse,” and “Always count your blessings.” He was quick to laugh, and just as quick to cry. He delighted in bantering with strangers. His storytelling skills were legendary, and he never met a pun he didn’t like. But above all else, he was exceedingly kind. Even at the end, he thanked every aide, every nurse at EnnisCourt for the smallest act of kindness. He was, quite simply, a great man.

Garrett was a 1951 graduate of Saint Ignatius High School, a 1955 graduate of John Carroll University, and a 1959 graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Law. He believed so deeply in the importance of a Catholic education that he served as a longtime member of Elyria Catholic High School’s Education Commission and Educational Endowment Foundation, as well as the Cleveland Diocese Board of Catholic Education.

Garrett began his career as an attorney in 1959. As a lawyer in Elyria and LaGrange for 44 years, he was ethical to his core and called a “straight arrow” by his colleagues. He often told the story of representing an innocent man facing the death penalty, and his immense relief at securing his client’s freedom. For the bulk of his career, Garrett focused on family law, then real estate. He was a member of the Lorain County and Ohio State bar associations. In 1965, he was honorably discharged from the United States Army, having achieved the rank of Captain.

His family’s highest praise and gratitude goes to Patrice Campbell of Ennis Court, who has created a loving and clinically excellent facility. The nurses, aides, and staff treat the residents with compassion and dignity, and Garrett loved his time there.

His family will receive friends on Friday, October 20, 2023, from 5:00 - 8:00 pm at the Reichlin Roberts Bollinger Funeral Home, 327 Cleveland St, Elyria. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph Parish, 32929 Lake Rd, Avon Lake, on Saturday, October 21, at 10:00 am. The Mass will be live streamed at https://shorturl.at/chz56. Interment will be at St. Mary Cemetery on Lake Ave in Elyria.

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made to the Elyria Catholic Educational Endowment Foundation (Donate online by clicking here) or to Ennis Court, 13315 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, OH, 44107. Please mark the gift as “In memory of Garrett J. Murray.”