Murray John Waddington 1944-2016
Murray Waddington died at the age of 71 at Ottawa Civic Hospital on 30 March 2016 of
complications from the return of the cancer he had so handily overcome in 2008. The son of
Ethel (Carter) Waddington and Harold Waddington, he was born 9 August 1944 in Regina and
grew up primarily in Winnipeg and Saskatoon with his parents and older sister Shirley.
Murray earned Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees from the University of
Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and a Bachelor of Library Science from the University of Toronto.
Murray’s long and distinguished career began as a cataloguer and reference librarian at the
Murray Memorial Library, University of Saskatchewan in 1967. This was followed by work as a
Cataloguer and later Head of Technical Services at the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa;
Reference and Collection Development Librarian at Metropolitan Toronto Library Fine Arts
Department; Associate Librarian and Chief Librarian at the Canadian Centre for Architecture,
Montreal during critical years of collection development and construction of its signature
building; and, finally Chief, Library and Archives of the National Gallery of Canada from 1991 to
his retirement in 2007.
Murray’s career legacy to the National Gallery and to the Canadian art museum community was
embodied in his vision for the Library and Archives collections as a recognized national
resource, an ongoing objective which he fostered through its collection development policy, by
securing additional funding from private foundations, by acquiring gifts of major archival
collections, through launching an in-house exhibition program, by directing the Gallery’s
fellowship program and Occasional Papers series, and sponsoring projects to index important
Canadian periodical and auction publications. He was active in the world of art libraries
nationally and internationally, in particular in the Art Libraries Society and the Research Libraries
Group.
Murray’s personal legacy, in addition to the wonderful memories his family, friends, and
colleagues hold dear, include his treasured collections of textiles, embroideries, handmade
crafts, and prints by Canadian artists, as well as his unmatched private collection of silkscreen
prints issued under the auspices of the National Gallery in the mid-century. It is hoped that
some of the most important items in these collections may find homes in Canadian public
museums.
The many who delighted in Murray remember a true gentleman who was a complex mix of
strength and fragility, sense and sensibility, pride and prejudice. Intensely private and retiring by
nature, he was just as intensely curious and informed about the world around him. Independent
to the point of neurosis and cautious in forming bonds, he was in his friendships deeply
engaged, loyal, and nurturing. Reticent and unassuming in his interactions, he was
nevertheless a model of quiet and steely determination. Open-minded and boldly intelligent, he
was intolerant of stupidity and withering of fools. For himself he was stoical and uncomplaining,
for others he railed against injustice and misfortune. Supremely serious and articulate, he was
also eccentric, quirky, funny, and mischievous. A gay man, drawn to other men, he was more
intimate with the world of women and a champion of their work. Elegant and patrician in bearing
and appearance, he was modest and without airs or ego. Worldly and rooted in the everyday,
he was very spiritual. Content with simple domesticity, he still sought to make the mundane
extraordinary through his many passions, especially gourmet cooking and wines, backyard
gardening, collecting art and textiles, reading English literature, European travel, and interest in
all the arts. A consummate professional with high and unbending standards, he was always
collegial, mentoring, and innovative. A unique study in contrasts, Murray was a man for all
seasons.
Murray Waddington is predeceased by his beloved parents Harold and Ethel, and by his sister
Shirley Bunn and brother-in-law Tom Bunn. On the west coast, he leaves his niece Heather
Riddell (Greg) and his nephew Bruce Bunn (Sharon) and their children Noelle and Thomas. In
Ottawa, he leaves his Stewart Street family (former partner and friend Greg Spurgeon and dear
friend Normand Thériault) and many friends and colleagues. Across Canada and elsewhere
Murray leaves cherished friends too numerous to name.
Murray’s wish was to be cremated with no service or interment. His community will gather for a
celebration of his life and achievements at a date to be announced.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
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