We have been advised of the death of Murray “Gus” Desmond Haase on 29th August 2022.
Murray was born in Southern Cross, WA, on 15 February 1936. His early years were spent in the Marvel Loch gold fields, where his father worked as a miner, and he was sent to boarding school at Northram High. He briefly worked as an Insurance Clerk, but his ambition was to get to the Eastern States of Australia and so he enlisted into the Navy in July of 1954.
Having completed his initial training at HMAS Cerberus, Murray was posted to HMAS Albatross as a Naval Airman in October of 1954, subsequently serving on HMA Ships Sydney and Melbourne. He did not extend his engagement, however, and was posted to shore in July of 1960.
After his discharge he studied accounting at Sydney Technical College.
He lived Greenacres and Castle Hill NSW with Anne and had 4 children MarieLouise, Leanne, Bradley & Lisa. From which he had 8 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
Most of his early civilian career was with Friends Provident Life as Manager Management Services, but he eventually opened a record/cassette shop in Burswood. That business was lost in a fire May 1982.
Murray married Patricia in 1979, had 2 children Sara and Morgan from which he has 6 grandchildren.
Another career move followed, to Karratha College in north west W.A, where he took up the position as Bursar. Murray had 14 ½ years in that role and, other than the Navy, it was his happiest times in employment.
In 1997 he moved to Perth to retire, but declining health eventually required him to be placed in a care facility at RAAFA Bulls Creek, as he was diagnosed with dementia. He passed away on 29 August 2022.
Up until his last few years he maintained contact with his mates from the Navy, some of whom are captured in the photograph above. Murray is on the left with Bruce Coles, Peter “Buncha” Keys, and Lyndsay McDonald. He always said the greatest time of his life was his years in the Navy.
A life well lived. Rest in Peace.
