Norm Murray: Farewell to a Friend
Editorial staff

On Wednesday, May 23, Mission Viejo lost a friend. Norm Murray, who had melanoma for four years, died at age 89. The word spread quickly among Norm’s many acquaintances, with everyone feeling a sense of loss.

Norm served as the city’s first mayor from 1988 to 1990. He never stopped working for the community, including the Activities Committee and Heritage Committee and helping organize the 1984 Olympics cycling competition in Mission Viejo. He served on the Planning Commission until January 2004, and he was recently honored for his work at the May 5 Mission Viejo Community Foundation’s inaugural ball.

Murray in 2004 gave a boost to the completion of the community center expansion, appealing to the city council by saying, “It’s time.” Those who heard his remarks understood the message. Many of the city’s senior citizens wondered if they would live long enough to see the project through.

A longtime activist who worked on cityhood with Murray said, “Norm was a leader who was truly civic-minded. It took some people awhile to realize he wasn’t in it for himself or wanting personal glory. That’s one of the reasons he earned respect whether everyone agreed with him or not. Norm was diplomatic and businesslike – qualities that rise above opinions.”

Norm was like a history book, and he seemed to have accurate if not complete recall of names, dates and events extending long before the city’s official beginning. His experience and memory saved people the time of having to look things up.

Norm and his wife Mary were married for 67 years when she passed away in 2003. In addition to his large family of children and grandchildren, Norm will be missed by more friends than anyone can count.