THE PONDS - Kenneth Forbes “The Deacon” Murdock, 85, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 10, 2015 in the Aberdeen Hospital Palliative Care Unit, New Glasgow with his family by his side. Born at The Ponds on August 1st, 1929, one of thirteen children, he was a son of the late Alexander Robert and Lucy (Dearn) Murdock. A life-long resident of The Ponds, he was a self-employed lobster fisherman and carpenter. Also had worked with Arisaig Fisheries for a number of years. He had been employed with the former Eastern Woodworkers and Trenton Works (Hawker Siddeley). Kenneth was a member of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Merigomish. He was an avid sports fan of baseball, boxing and hockey, which he played many years in local industrial and commercial hockey leagues. He was a die-hard Maple Leafs and Blue Jays fan. Kenneth enjoyed the frequent and many large Murdock family gatherings. He loved his family, especially his grandchildren and great- grandchildren to whom he was affectionately known as “Papa” and “Papa GG”. Surviving are sons, Dale (Anne Marie) Murdock, Woodburn; Zeph (Judy) Murdock, Dartmouth; grandchildren; Sandi (Glen),Kevin(Gail), Kimberly (Dave), Andrew, Heather and great-grandchildren, Kaycee, Zeph, David, Mae, Hailey and Sam; sisters, Norma Mingo, Doris (Gerald) Arbuckle-Thompson, Avondale; brothers, Sammy, Jackie, The Ponds; numerous nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his wife of fifty-four years; Mary “Betty” (Ryan); sisters, Aleta Murray, Anna Mae Nicholson and Loretta Arbuckle; brothers, Harry, Jamie, Leroy, Arthur and Stewart. The family will receive visitors from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, May 12 in P. & K. MacDonald Funeral Home, New Glasgow. Funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 13 in St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Merigomish with Rev. Bonnie Wynn officiating. Interment will be in Murray’s Point Cemetery. Special thanks to the nursing staff of the Pictou County VON, Aberdeen Hospital 4 South and Palliative Care Unit, nurses: Erin, Kaye and Olla., and to good friend Lindsay Billington for the special care they gave to Dad. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kenny’s memory to Murray’s Point Cemetery or St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church (please click to donate online). To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Kenneth Forbes Murdock, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.