Murray J. Kurland

Murray J. Kurland, 87, a longtime resident of Palatine.

Please join the family in a celebration of Murray’s life on Friday, March 4, 2016 from 4:00PM until 9:00PM at the Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home, 201 N. Northwest Hwy., Palatine.  On Saturday, March 5, 2016, there will be a Visitation at the First United Methodist Church, 123 N. Plum Grove Road, Palatine from 9:00AM until the time of the Funeral Service at 10:00AM.  The interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Barrington.  

Murray was born on November 23, 1928 in New York, NY the son of the late Max and Rosita (nee Bassatt) Kurland and passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on Monday, February 29, 2016.

Murray proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1946 until 1948, after which he attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering.  

Murray began his career with A-P Controls, where he met his wife, Alice, and they enjoyed a two-year courtship before being married on August 7, 1954.  Later, Murray was invited to join S&C Electric in Chicago, where he spent the majority of his career as a true “belly-to-belly” salesman, ultimately retiring as Senior Vice President of International Sales, a role which took him to many countries around the world.  Murray was very proud of the work he did with S&C, as evidenced by his willingness to have a picture taken whenever he noticed a large piece of high-voltage switch gear bearing the S&C logo.

Murray’s commitment to his work, though, was far outweighed by his commitment to his family, and he would make it a point to always be home for dinner.  He was very generous with family and friends, and loved nothing more than engaging in lively conversation with people from all walks of life.

Murray was renowned for his fashion flair, often pairing brightly patterned sweaters or golf shirts with patterned shorts and stylish knee-high socks.  Murray loved to display his passion for his favorite teams in his attire, and had a sizable collection that showed off the green and gold of his Green Bay Packers and the red and white of his Wisconsin Badgers.

Murray was a charter member of the Boulder Ridge Country Club, which became a home away from home for the fanatical golfer.  Murray was always up for participating in any club competition, and on days when there wasn’t a competition or others up for a round, he would often be one of the first ones out on the course, fishing stray golf balls out of the water hazards.  The club also became a haven for Murray and his sons, and eventually his grandsons, as he would always try to find time for a round whenever they were in town.

Murray’s interest in helping others found another outlet in retirement as a volunteer in the District 15 Senior Exchange Program, where his energy and enthusiasm at one point earned him “Volunteer of the Month” honors.  He spent a number of years supporting library programs at Plum Grove Junior High, where his own children had attended years before.  He was a tireless contributor who remained committed to supporting their efforts even after the program ended.  

Murray lost Alice, his wife of 48 years, to cancer in 2002, but remained committed to her for the remainder of his life, keeping the family home filled with her presence in pictures, tchotchkes, and the voices of his children asking “what would mom do?” whenever a question arose on any topic.  After her passing, Murray devoted even more of his time to his children and grandchildren, attending innumerable sporting events, often serving as the loudest cheerleader.  One cannot have wished for a more loving and devoted husband, dad, or grandpa, and he will be sorely missed by anyone who ever had the pleasure of spending a few moments in his effervescent presence.     

Devoted husband of the late Alice (nee Larsen) Kurland; loving father of Carrie (Mike) Fisher, Todd (Amy) Kurland, Amy (Steve) Malambri, Lissa (Keith) Parr, Eric (Lisa) Kurland and Rob (Kim) Kurland; cherished grandfather of Carly Fisher, Zhenya Kurland, Lucas and Maclane Malambri, Rachel (Dan) Stollenwerk, Sophia and Jackson Parr, Connor, Cameron and Kelsey Kurland, and granddogs Ruby and Buster Kurland; fond brother in law of Sandy (the late Jeff) Kurland.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in memory of Murray, would be appreciated for District Fifteen Education Foundation (Contact Donna Kennedy, Foundation Coordinator, at 847-963-3160 or kennedyd@ccsd15.net to make a donation, or click the “Donate” button at www.ccsd15.net/pages/CCSD15/About_District_15/DFEF/Donate_to_DFEF to make a donation via credit card or PayPal).