Donald Glenn Murray

Don was born and raised in Charleroi, Pennsylvania and is predeceased by his loving wife Judith Utterback Murray, parents Glenn Murray and Virginia Callegari and his loving granddaughter Kylie Nicole Murray.

Immediately after graduating from Charleroi High School in 1951 - where he was known for his gorgeous blue eyes and outgoing personality - Don entered the United States Navy. He served on active duty for four years during the Korean War and on reserve four additional years and was honorably discharged in 1959. Don was stationed on the USS LSM R 514 as well as the USS Fremont APA 44. Don attributed his impressive management and organizational skills to his time in the Navy. He was incredibly proud to have served his country.

After his active service, Don enrolled at Southern Methodist University where he enjoyed Greek Life as a Delta Kappa Epsilon and graduated in 1959. After graduation he returned to Pennsylvania and joined West Penn Power where he met his future wife and love of his life, Judy.

Don and his new wife lived in Arkansas and Illinois before settling in West Irondequoit, New York, a suburb of Rochester where they raised their family. Don worked as a Director of Human Resources for Harris Corporation and was a member of the Rochester Yacht Club where he sailed, socialized and enjoyed the annual Commodore’s Ball. In 1983 Don moved the family to Montville, New Jersey where he worked for GPU and then Singer/Kearfot until his retirement in the late 90s. Don became an active member of the Lake Valhalla Club and served as President and even "Chief Groundskeeper”, where the latter position saw him rising with the sun to ensure that members would have a wonderful day.

Don returned to Pennsylvania in 2008 and became an active member of the Water’s Edge Community in Matamoras where he built new relationships while connecting others. In 2017 he took those skills to Steamboat Springs, Colorado where he skied, hiked, biked, served his church and volunteered for the American Legion. He built an incredible network of friends that became family, including a very close group from the Colorado Bagel Shop.

This winter Don returned to The Garden State where he continued his volunteer work for the American Legion and joined Milton United Methodist Church. Whether in New Jersey, New York Colorado or Pennsylvania, Don’s passion for serving his community and church while building lifelong friendships is what he will be remembered for.

Don is survived by his son Geoff Murray and daughter-in-law Lisa of Lake Forest, Illinois, his daughter Katherine and son-in-law Matthew VanWolput of OakRidge, New Jersey, his granddaughter Nina DePalma and fiance Mitchell Fliss of Hopatcong New Jersey, grandsons Ryan Murray of Chicago Illinois and Michael DePalma of Morristown, New Jersey and granddaughter Grace DePalma of OakRidge, N1ew Jersey, his sister Jackie Leaver of Circleville, Ohio and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.