Identity area
Type of entity
Authorized form of name
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
- Morris Kotofsky
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
History
Murray Kay was born Morris Kotofsky in Montreal, Quebec on July 24, 1917 to Louis Kotofsky and Celia Jacobs Kotofsky. Murray had a typical up-bringing in what was then the Jewish neighborhood of Montreal, growing up doted upon by his three sisters, Lily, Belle and Anna. During World War II, Murray enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and served overseas in England for a short time. As he received the highest marks in navigation school however, Murray was shipped back to Canada to become an instructor. In 1947, Murray left Montreal for California, creating a successful career in the manufacturing business that took him to numerous countries around the world.
He was a lifelong photographer, playing with the medium in addition to documenting his time in the Air Force, overseas and in both Montreal and California. He also loved to compose poetry and write. He often wrote poems and tributes for special occasions for family and friends and is remembered for his love of the arts and providing inspiration to his children, nieces and nephews. After his retirement he took classes in creative writing and philosophy at UCLA. Mr. Kay died in 2001 in Marina del Ray, California.