RAYMOND E. MURRAY JR.

NORRIDGEWOCK – Raymond E. Murray Jr., 68, passed away Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008, at Redington Fairview General Hospital, after a brief illness. He was born June 15, 1940, in Norridgewock, the son of Raymond Murray Sr. and Madeline (Godin) Libby. He graduated from Skowhegan High School, Skowhegan. Raymond married the former Linda Tracy, Sept. 3, 1960, in Farmington. He worked at Norwock Shoe Co., Norridgewock, as assistant superintendent, then owned and operated Lighthouse Footwear, Skowhegan, for six years where he was vice president. In 1980, he went to work at Dexter Shoe Co. as a supervisor of quality control at the cement plants. Ray spent a total of 45 years in the shoe industry and since his retirement, he had enjoyed working at Waterville Country Club part-time. Ray was a member of Lebanon Mason Lodge, Norridgewock, a member of Kora Shrine, Lewiston, and a past member of Norridgewock Volunteer Fire Department. He was a past Little League baseball coach in Norridgewock. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, dancing and listening to country music. He really loved family gatherings at the family homestead. He loved to travel, and enjoyed his dogs, Missy and Cooper. Ray enjoyed spending winters in Florida with Gerald and Sandy Warren. In addition to his wife of 48 years, Linda of Norridgewock, Ray is survived by three children, his daughter, Beth Norweg and her husband, Kurt, of Norridgewock, and two sons, Brian Murray of Atlanta, and Randall Murray and his wife, Deborah, of Smithfield; his grandchildren, Kevin Norweg, Kyle Norweg, Michael Downer and Troy Johnson; his brothers, Morris Murray and his wife, Martha, of Norridgewock, and Douglas Murray and his wife, Noreen, of Madison; his sisters, Eva Bussell and her husband, Norris, of Madison, Hester Murray of Skowhegan, Linda Atkinson and her husband, Michael, of Norridgewock, Pamela Gordon and her husband, James, of Norridgewock, and Donna Bickford and her husband, Lenard, of Norridgewock; brother in-law, Earl Tracy and his wife, Donna, of Kennebunk; godchild, Melanie Nunan of Kennebunk; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was predeceased by a son, Jeffrey Murray; and his parents, Raymond and Mary Murray, and Madeline (Godin) Libby. The family extends a special thank you to the Rev. Mark Tanner, Dr. Gina Gomez and the staff at Redington Fairview General Hospital, for all of their wonderful care and support. Visiting hours will be held 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan. A celebration of life will be held 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at Skowhegan Federated Church, Island Ave., Skowhegan, with the Rev. Mark Tanner officiating. A burial will be after at Sunsetview Cemetery, Norridgewock. Donations may be made in Ray’s memory to Springfield Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.