Obituary  ::  Murray Lamont

June 19, 1925 - January 26, 2024

Murray was born in 1925 to Albert and Myra Lamont in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He lived a long, good life, and his memory will live on in all of those who knew him, loved him and celebrated him. He trained as a Lancaster bomber pilot in World War II, earning the rank of Flight Lieutenant, and then worked at the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and Baker-Lovick advertising in Toronto after the war. He was physically active throughout his entire life, playing basketball as a young adult, then later fishing, curling, golf, sailing, bicycling, and cross-country skiing. His bridge games were sharp and unconventional, winning him many tournaments. His travels led him and his wife to England, Ireland, former Yugoslavia, Greece, France, Spain, Italy, Hong Kong, Hungary, Romania, and the Caribbean Islands. He involved himself in many causes in Thornbury, including the school lunch program, the potluck dinners at the church, and the Beaver Valley Probus Club events. His wit and sense of humour endeared him to his many collegues, friends and family. He approached every occasion with a sense of joy and anticipation.

Among his parting wishes he said, “I don’t mind dying. I just don’t want to be around when it happens.”

Jazz music, especially swing, was a big part of his entire life. There was always jazz music playing on his stereo and his vintage jazz records were a prized possession. He would crank up the jazz music at 10am on weekends to signal to his teenage sons that it was time for them to wake up, and for him to listen to jazz. Photography was also important to him; he always had the latest equipment and took thousands of pictures at business, family and vacation events. He was artistic and had a keen eye for composition. Murray is survived by Doreen Lamont, his wife of 70 plus years, as well as his sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who will all continue to cherish his memory. He loved children and especially enjoyed family time at home and at the many cottages he visited over the years. The family will gather for a private ceremony later in the year in Thornbury, Ontario, where he enjoyed many years of his retirement life. He will forever be remembered for his joyful spirit, his unwavering love, and the incredible positive effect he had on everyone he met. While he may no longer be with us in person, his legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched. Please celebrate the life of this remarkable man, as we remember the laughter, love, and light he brought into the world.

Obituary  ::  Murray Lamont

About 1,900 km from where I'm posting this blog entry there’s a narrow forest road that meanders through our northern boreal forest. At the very end of this road there's a little village. Look closely and you'll see that this little village has stores, homes, cars, a bank; all of the amenities that you can image the local forest fairies might need on a day-to-day basis. It's wonderful.

Of all of the things that I’ve discovered on my forest walks this year, this is by far the most significant one. 

It shows me that love, kindness, environmental consideration and imagination are not just welcome here, they have a home here. 

This village inspires me to believe that the parents who have helped their children imagine and create this village are raising inquisitive, sensitive and imaginative children who are FAR more likely to grow up to be considerate, responsible, inclusive and visionary leaders. 

PEACE.  LOVE.  UNDERSTANDING.

Recently Linked In asked me the following question: “How can you build and maintain brand authenticity in the age of artificial intelligence?”

Here's my perspective:

Regardless of where I go or which channel I communicate through, I am Frank (by name and nature).

Some people \ clients \ brands really like and respect my approach to MARCOM while others don't. That is as it should be; as an individual, and as a brand, I can't please all of the people all of the time. 

POSITIVE:

Ai can help me find more people who like my approach to MARCOM. 

NEGATIVE:

Ai should NOT be used to create 25 shades of "Frank" to artificially expand my audience because all I'll get is a short-term pop in sales - until my brand-fraud is revealed and all of my brand equity is lost.

Across North America everybody wants more for less – plus a lifetime guarantee. To satisfy this insane and insatiable desire for more cheap food, goods and services, we’ve sent millions of jobs to Asia and India. We’ve also done a wonderful job of teaching our kids that many jobs are not worth doing or having. This mentality has shut down industries and laid waste to cities, towns and individuals all across America and Canada. Where will this end?

When companies do not earn decent profit margins their foundations crumble.

• They no longer can afford to do research and development.
• Without leading edge research and development their managers blindly follow the “best practices” of their competitors, and fail.
• They cut back on staff training and development.
• They cut back on benefits.
• Full time staff is rehired as part-time staff with no benefits.
• Part time staff juggle two, sometimes three, jobs just to make ends meet. No holiday pay, no pension plan, no medical support.
• Because they are just making ends meet, time and money they can't afford to "support" the arts and those who are less fortunate. 
• It impacts time at home and time with family and friends - life in general.
• And on and on it goes - in a giant downward spiral.

A client of mine had his website designed and built in the Philippines to save money. They charge 75% less than I do. Some of the money he'd paid me went back to his car dealership when I needed auto parts or service. The money he paid to the company in the Philippines left Canada and will not be used to buy any of his vehicles, parts or services on Black Friday, or on any other day of the year.

He thought he was smart . . . 

He taught his customers to look for "Fast & Cheap" - not for "Good and long lasting".

He's no longer in business . . . 

He couldn't make up in volume what he lost on margin.

When you charge a fair price and invest the profits in our people, our communities, and industries, we all grow stonger, better and smarter.