Dennis James Murray
COOPERSTOWN _ Dennis James Murray, a respected builder whose expertise graces the Otsego County landscape and whose own earth-sheltered home is a Cooperstown landmark, died peacefully Monday, Nov. 29, 2010, at home in the company of his beloved wife of the consequences of lymphoma. He was 68.
Mr. Murray's wife, Maureen, is a Registered Nurse and Director, Professional Nursing Practice at Bassett Medical Center, Cooperstown.
He was a loving husband and father; a man of integrity and generosity in his personal and business dealings; a former seminarian, Latin scholar and writer who made his living with his hands; a dedicated volunteer; and an affable, dependable friend.
Dennis Murray was born in Chicago on Dec. 27, 1941, to Robert and Marguerite McManus Murray. After Mrs. Murray's death, he was adopted by Robert Murray's second wife, Marion Libor Murray. He grew up mostly in the Midwest and graduated from Maryknoll College in 1963. He did postgraduate work in theology at the Maryknoll seminary in Ossining, then won a master's degree in journalism at the Medill School of Northwestern University.
He served two years in the United States Army in Panama and Vietnam October 1967 through October 1969.
In 1970, Mr. Murray married Maureen Fitzgerald of the Bronx. He worked as a reporter and City Editor for The Journal News in Rockland County before the Murrays moved to Cherry Valley in 1973.
Mr. Murray founded Murray Construction in 1976. He specialized in designing and building custom homes.
In 1982, the Murrays built the earth-sheltered, energy-conserving home on Murphy Hill in Cooperstown and moved in with their three sons.
After retirement, Mr. Murray took his skills to Habitat for Humanity, where he was building supervisor. He also indulged his love of music, taking up the violin and joining the Voices of Cooperstown, Ah Coopella, the Fly Creek Philharmonic and the Choir at St. Mary's parish.
This year's Voices of Cooperstown Christmas concert on Dec. 18 has been dedicated to Mr. Murray.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Murray is survived by three sons, two daughters-in-law and three grandchildren, James and Elizabeth Murray of Rochester and their daughter, Nora; Patrick and Amy Murray of Fairfield, Conn., their daughter Meghan and son, Finn; and Sean Murray of Boston. He is also survived by his mother; seven brothers and sisters, Robert (Kathleen) Murray, Philip (Rosalba) Murray, Mary (David) Bausum, John (Cassie) Murray, Kathleen Murray, Joseph (Linda) Murray, Michael (Yvette) Murray, along with their children and grandchildren.
Memorial gifts in Mr. Murray's name may be made to Habitat for Humanity, Otsego County, 50 Dietz St., Oneonta, NY 13820 or online at Habitatotsego.org or to the Nightingale Fund, the Friends of Bassett, c/o Bassett Medical Center, 1 Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
A joyful memorial Mass will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010, at St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church, Elm Street, Cooperstown, with Father John P. Rosson, pastor, as celebrant.
Friends are invited to call from 5 until 7 p.m. Wednesday or from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Thursday at the Tillapaugh Funeral Home, 28 Pioneer St., Cooperstown, when the family will be in attendance.
Arrangements are under the supervision of Tillapaugh Funeral Service, Cooperstown.
