WOODLAND – Murray N. Walker Sr., 85, was called home by his Lord and Savior Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011, while surrounded by his family at a Caribou hospital, after a courageous battle with cancer. Murray was born Feb. 5, 1926, in Allagash, the son of Samuel and Rhoda Walker.
From the tender age of 6, using a cross cut saw in the Allagash woods, the seeds were planted from which his unparalleled work ethic grew. Murray met his wife, Barbara in Highland Falls, N.Y., where he owned and operated his own electrical business, and they were married in 1973. They moved to Maine in 1977, where they remained throughout their married life. Trained as an electrician, Murray traveled across the Northeast during his long career. Murray was proud to have just received his 55-year membership pin from the Electrical Workers Union IBEW 567. At their Woodland residence, Murray prided himself in a large vegetable garden. Over the years, the garden was downsized but he maintained planting and working in one right up until the age of 85, and even picked fiddleheads this past spring. Murray loved spending time with all his family, enjoying simple pleasures like rocking babies and sharing a home cooked meal. Many special memories were made with his brother, Reynold, especially at Rey’s Cross Lake camp.
Murray is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Barbara (Baker); his children and their spouses, Julia and Bob Price Roberts of Florida, Sandra and Bobby Dempsey of Florida, Mitchell Walker of Pennsylvania, Becky Walker of New York, Debbie and Garry Bertholf of New York, Murray Walker Jr. and his companion, Lauren Currier, of Caribou, Jill and Wade Leavitt of Connor, Mark and Wanda Reynolds of New Sweden and Sheri and Ryan Guerrette of Caribou. He is also survived by his siblings and their spouses, Melissa and Lester Jandreau of Bangor, Lola McBreaity of Caribou and Iva and Bert Picard of Connecticut. In addition, he leaves behind special brothers-in-law, Charles and William Baker; 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Murray was predeceased by his siblings, infant, Julia Walker, Lincoln Walker, Dora Walker, Reynold Walker and Blanche Whaley.
Friends and family may call 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30, at Lancaster Morgan Funeral Home, 11 Clover St., Caribou. A Mass of Christian burial will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, at Parish of the Precious Blood, Holy Rosary Catholic Church, with the Rev. Jean Paul Labrie officiating. A reception will be after the services at the Parish Hall. Interment will take place in the spring at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Donations in Murray’s memory may be made to Cary ICU, 163 Van Buren Road, Caribou, ME 04736. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at
www.lancastermorgan.com.