Charles Couper Murdoch

Charles (Chuck) Couper Murdoch, 83, of Vernon, CT, formerly of South Windsor, CT and Stuart, FL, beloved husband of Claire Murdoch, died peacefully on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 in Stuart, FL, surrounded by his family. Chuck was born in Croswell, Michigan, son of the late Charles Nelson and Jessie (Couper) Murdoch. He grew up in Saginaw, MI and graduated from Arthur Hill High School. He went on to obtain a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan in 1959 and was a member of Delta Chi fraternity. Upon graduating Chuck took a job with Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford where he had a long, distinguished career. He began his career near the beginning of the jet engine era and was instrumental in the development and certification of many engine models, some still powering aircraft today. Chuck was a longtime member of Wapping Community Church of South Windsor and also a member of Stuart Congregational Church in Florida. He served on many boards and as Deacon at Wapping Church. He was an accomplished bagpiper and Pipe Major of the Manchester Pipe Band for over 30 years. Under his leadership the band won numerous awards competing in the U.S., Canada and Scotland. He was well respected as a teacher, mentor, and role model to young bagpipers through the years. Chuck was also a piping judge who traveled all over the U.S. and Canada. He was a member and Judge Emeritus of the EUSPBA (Eastern United States Pipe Band Association). Chuck played pipes for many functions and in many different venues over the years. One of his highlights was for a PBS production leading the band with the Boston Pops at Symphony Hall, and John Williams asked him if the orchestra was satisfactory! For years he played in many area churches including Wapping Church on Christmas Sundays, Manchester's Trinity Covenant Church Christmas Musical and for 30 years at Asylum Hill Congregational Church in Hartford for their Boar's Head Festival. Chuck and his wife Claire wintered in Stuart, Florida during their retirement and enjoyed 53 years of marriage together. Chuck also enjoyed traveling, golf, reading, bridge and rooting for the Michigan Wolverines and his New England sports teams. A kind, caring, loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend to many, he will be dearly missed. Along with his wife Claire he leaves his sons, Douglas Murdoch and his wife Marybeth of South Windsor and David Murdoch and his wife Rianna of Cambridge, MA; his grandchildren, Melissa, Brian, Stella, and Jack; and his sister-in-law, Joan Harpel and her husband James of Glencoe, MN. He was predeceased by his sister Doris Kusch. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2019, 2 p.m., at Wapping Community Church, 1790 Ellington Rd., South Windsor. A private burial will take place at Wapping Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Treasure Coast Hospice Foundation, 1201 SE Indian St., Stuart, FL 34997 (Treasurehealth.org/donate), Cure PSP, 1216 Broadway, 2nd Floor, New Your, NY (PSP.org) or a charity of your choice. Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home has care arrangements. Please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com for online condolences.