Geordie Murray, 30, has been identified as the Saanich man who died last week in a rural area northeast of Calgary.
An online fundraising page set up for his pregnant wife, Shauna, said he died “in a tragic accident while in Alberta with dear friends.”
Police in Rocky View County said they responded to a call and found a man with a gunshot wound, and couldn’t save him despite administering first aid.
More than $22,000 of the page’s $50,000 goal had been raised by late afternoon Monday.
The page described Geordie as “one of the most selfless people on Earth.”
“This wonderful husband, brother, son and friend was an adventurer with a huge heart who died doing something he loved,” the page said. “He was a passionate, outgoing, energetic soul who was committed to making everyone smile.”
His mother, Kath, summed him up this way on the page: “He could never drive by when someone was stuck on the side of the road. There isn’t a bone in his body that would let him leave someone in a lurch.”
Geordie and Shauna were married for almost two years, and Shauna has lost her life partner far too soon, the page said.
“She is solaced by the miracle that is their baby, due this coming July. Geordie’s legacy lives on through this new soul.”
There has been an outpouring from people wanting to offer support, and the fundraising page was set up in response.
“All proceeds from this campaign will go directly to Shauna in support of baby Murray’s growth and education,” the page said. “An education fund will be created and any additional donations will go toward opportunities for baby Murray to grow and experience a full life to honour his/her father’s memory.”
A funeral will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 701 Mann Ave. There is an open invitation to attend.
A book is being compiled to share with baby, so anyone with a story about Murray affected their lives or with “a sweet memory to share” is asked to email it to geordiestories@gmail.com.
