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Friends and family are mourning Francis Murray Pay, who passed away on Tuesday, April 9 aged 94.
Pay loved harness racing and drove many horses over the years at tracks such as Boort, Charlton, Wedderburn, Horsham, Nyah, Ouyen and Mildura.
The most notable was the Don McDermott (Pyramid Hill) trained Edens Return, a speedy “catch-me-if-you-can” pacer that was a regular winner in Sunraysia during the 1970s.
He also drove a winner on both the opening and final meetings at Nyah.
Shepparton owner-breeder and former bookmaker John Hallam recalled a race at Mildura one night when Murray did him a turn while driving Prince Con, who was trained by Brian (Johnno) Johnstone. That horse won the second leg of the daily double, which was big in those days and paid a huge dividend. Prince Con became a regular winner around the provincials.
Gently was another of his winners as was Skulduggary in the 1960s.
Murray was held in high esteem when playing football for Wandella – just outside Swan Hill – and was also an accomplished lawn bowler.
He was highly respected in the Kerang district and will be sadly missed but never forgotten.
He leaves behind his wife of 68 years, Mary, sons Bruce and Gary, daughter Kerrie, seven grand and six great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at the Adams Funeral Parlor (Kerang) on Wednesday, April 17 from 2pm, following a committal at 1pm.
Harness Racing Victoria sends its sincere condolences and respects to the Pay family.
