HAROLD E. MURRAY EAST MILLINOCKET – Harold Edward “Ned” Murray, 91, died at a Lincoln healthcare facility on Sunday, May 9, 2004. He was born Feb. 7, 1913, in Millinocket, the son of Walter and Louise (Noddin) Murray. “Ned” graduated from Stearns High School in 1932, and for years remained an avid fan of the Stearns Minutemen. He and Ruth began their married life in Bristol, Conn., where he worked for New Departure, a division of General Motors. His 37 years of employment by Great Northern Paper Co. was prefaced by times working in the woods as a lumberjack and for the CCC’s during the 2nd World War. He spent most of his years at Great Northern as an electrician and power plant operator. Ned served several terms as president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He remembered with pride those conferences where terms of the impending contract were negotiated, most notable the health care benefits enjoyed by retirees to this day. Ned and Ruth raised four children at their home on Birch Street in East Millinocket. He served his community as a member of the school board and the budget committee, worked with fellow workers to open the Eastmill Federal Credit Union, and served as Treasurer of the Senior Citizens in East Millinocket. A member of the First Congregational Church of East Millinocket, he served as a trustee, diligent in his efforts to contribute to the church building’s upkeep. Ned received recognition for his 50 years as a member of the Nollesemic Lodge on his 90th birthday in 2003. Ned and Ruth enjoyed 29 years of retirement in their home on Birch Street, a lifelong goal achieved through his skillful planning and more recently, aided by a community of caring individuals. Ned enjoyed years of competition as a member of the Sno Rovers Pitch Club. His passion for hunting and fishing led him to long hikes to the Deep Cove camp at Ambejejus Lake, as there were no roads back then. He also had many trips by canoe up the East Branch of the Penobscot to the Soldier Brook camp. There were countless trips to Katahdin Brook, where the fish would not fit the fishing basket. Ned also had a love for the many dogs he had over the years. He leaves his wife of 67 years, Ruth N. (Nichols) Murray of East Millinocket; three surviving children and their spouses, Margie and Ronald Wheaton of Millinocket, Peggy and Richard Owens of Litchfield, N.H., and Bobby and Linda Murray of Windsor, Conn. He will be fondly remembered by his seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. At 91 years of age, he survived his siblings and the majority of in-laws and friends, with the exception of close relatives to include Leonard and Geraldine Wallace of East Millinocket, and Charlene Eaton of Yarmouth. Friends may call 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 12, at R.L. Bouchard Funeral Home, 17 Western Ave., East Millinocket, where Lodge No. 205 AF & AM will conduct a Masonic memorial service at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held 12 Noon Thursday, May 13, 2004, at the First Congregational Church of East Millinocket, with the Rev. Mark Pilletere officiating. Graveside committal services will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, May 15, at East Millinocket Cemetery. If friends wish, contributions may be made to the Kathadin Area Support Group, 10 Field St., Millinocket, ME 04462. For online register book, please visit www.bouchardfh.com.
HAROLD E. MURRAY
