Volunteer Profiles

Introducing VoicePrint Volunteer Dr. Jock Murray

Meet Dr. Jock Murray; one of Halifax's newest Volunteers.  He is a Professor Emeritus of neurology and medical humanities at Dalhousie University.

Born in Pictou, Nova Scotia, on May 30, 1938, he attended St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish and Dalhousie University School of Medicine in Halifax, graduating with honors in 1963.

Murray is the former Dean of Medicine and is Chairman Emeritus of the American College of Physicians and he has held many positions in Canadian and American medicine, including President of the Canadian Neurological Society and President of the American Osler Society. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada and in 2008 received the Order of Nova Scotia.

He and his wife Janet have four children and seven grandchildren. He plays piano enthusiastically but badly, and is currently in therapy to curb his book collecting.

How long have you been Volunteering for VoicePrint?

I am a novice at VoicePrint, having just completed my first few sessions behind the microphone.

How did you come to be a Volunteer?

I saw a message about VoicePrint and thought it was a terrific service and wanted to see if I could be part of it.

Why do you Volunteer for VoicePrint?

I wanted to increase my Volunteer activity as my professional activities wind down, and this seemed to fit with my idea of a worthwhile community project.

Favourite website, or style of website?

I don't have a favourite website, other than everybody's favourite, Wikipedia.

What books/magazines/newspapers have you read recently, or do you like to read?

I read the Globe and Mail and Halifax papers daily. I also regularly read: Times Literary Supplement, Literary Review (my favorite), Discovery, MacLean's, Prevention, Canadian Gardener....

Good plays/films you've seen recently that you'd recommend?

(My wife and I) are theatre fans and for 45 years we have followed local theatre and go to London and New York regularly for theatre. I am enthusiastic about the quality of theatre at Neptune and I enjoyed Frost/Nixon a few weeks ago. In New York it was The History Boys and in London it was Derek Jacobi in a revival of The Entertainer.

Qualities you admire in people?

Respect for others, a sense of personal responsibility, a positive outlook and a life based on principles and values.

People you admire most?

Among the alive and dead I admire Ghandi, Aung San Suu Kyi, Thomas More, Thomas Jefferson, Stephen Lewis, Alexa McDonough, Ron Wallace...

What are your hobbies?

Teaching chess to my grandchildren; Piano; kayaking; book collecting. My new hobby is woodturning, but as I just purchased the lathe, it is a hobby-in-waiting.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

That my wife and I spent an evening in a hotel room with the Beatles in 1965, talking over wine and cheese.

Favourite colour?

Blue

Favourite Halifax restaurant?

Fiasco

Favourite sport?

I watch only the finals of all sports, catching up on who is playing. Personally I used to love long distance running but it is now walking with my wife and bicycle trips with my eldest daughter.

Pet peeve?

Lack of bicycle lanes in Halifax.

Find our more about becoming a VoicePrint Volunteer.