In Memoriam: Murray Taylor
The Ontario Lacrosse Association mourns the passing of legacy lacrosse official Murray Taylor, whose name is woven into the fabric of Canadian lacrosse. For more than five decades, Murray gave his time, expertise, and passion to the game, shaping officiating standards and mentoring generations of officials across the country.
Born in 1940 in Bancroft, ON, Murray was committed to multisport at a young age, but was best recognized for his contributions through his adulthood to both football and lacrosse. As a dutiful administrator, he served as Chairperson of the Officiating Committee for the Canadian Lacrosse Association from 1991 to 2011, and was deeply involved with the National Officiating Certification Program. His leadership at the national level helped strengthen the integrity, consistency, and professionalism of the officiating program in Canada. His on-floor officiating career spanned from 1968 to 1985, where he officiated at the sport’s highest levels of competition. Murray officiated Mann Cup Senior “A” championships in 1976, 1980, 1982, and 1986, as well as Minto Cup Junior “A” competitions in 1974, 1975, 1977, 1979, and 1983. He also officiated at the Junior “B” Founders Cup Championship in 1974 and in multiple years thereafter, leaving a lasting impact on each event because of his knowledge, fairness, and calm authority. In 2024, Murray was recognized for his lifelong devotion to the sport with an induction into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in the Officiating Category; his name is forever synonymous with excellence.
But while he was well-known on the national stage, it was at home in Ontario where Murray’s impact was truly most significant. A founding committee member of the Official’s Association, he served the OLRA (now the OLOA) for fifty years, and was a pillar of the Ontario Lacrosse Association. His roles included OLA Refereein-Chief from 1991 to 2001, and Referee Evaluator and Supervisor from 1986 to 2019, where he was known for his commitment to mentorship and development. In recognition of his extraordinary achievements and lifelong dedication to the game, Murray Taylor was honoured as a Life Member of the Ontario Lacrosse Officials Association—an acknowledgment that reflects the respect and gratitude bestowed upon him by the lacrosse community.
Murray’s legacy lives on in the countless officials he guided, the standards he helped establish, and the game he loved so deeply. He will be remembered not only for his service, but for the lasting influence he had on lacrosse in Ontario and throughout Canada.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life for Murray on Friday, February 13, 2026 at 11:00am. The ceremony will be held in the hall at St. John’s Public Cemetery (2878 St. John’s Drive, Jordan Station, ON). A graveside burial service will be held after the reception at St. John’s Cemetery, followed by a light luncheon together to remember Murray’s steady presence, quiet strength and the love his held for his family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Murray’s memory be made toward dementia research at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation in Hamilton, ON.
