Frank Holmes Murphy

Mystic - Frank Holmes Murphy of Mystic, passed away on Oct. 4, 2011, at the age of 93, after a rich and rewarding life.

He was born in Bethany, and grew up and lived his working life in West Hartford, moving to Mystic after retiring from General Electric.

He was a devoted husband to Annette, his wife of 64 years, who passed away in 2007.

Frank was a man of many interests. As a young man he played semi-professional baseball, flew small airplanes, did trick riding and rope tricks in local rodeos, and was the amateur chess champion of Connecticut. For much of his life, he was an accomplished rifle and pistol marksman. Later in life, he became a ham radio operator. He developed an interest in collecting and repairing antique clocks. This talent led to his longtime relationship with Mystic Seaport where he was a fixture in the clock and nautical instruments shop. He tended the clocks at the museum for over 30 years. Soon after moving to Mystic, he and a group of friends founded the Mystic Carvers Club. Frank was well known for his exceptional woodworking skills. He took great joy in making clock cases as well as musical instruments, harps, lyres, hammer dulcimers, and banjos. Until his death, every Tuesday the "Cellar Gang" met in his basement workshop to make and play musical instruments. At the age of 91, he traveled to Phoenix, Ariz., to take lessons on playing the Native American flute. Frank often remarked to others that he was never bored a day in his life.

Frank will be greatly missed by his sons, John (Mary) and Fred (Priscilla); daughter, Ruth (John Hay); two grandchildren, Karen Scoville and James Bayrer (Rebecca); and three great-grandchildren, Lily Scoville, Zachary Bayrer, and Jacob Bayrer.

He was predeceased by his father, Frank Patrick Murphy; mother, Ruth Holmes Murphy; sister, Ruth Murphy; and brother, William Murphy.

A Funeral Mass to celebrate Frank's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011, at St. Patrick Church, 32 East Main St., Mystic. Calling hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7, at Mystic Funeral Home, Route 1, Mystic.

The Murphy family would like to express their thanks and gratitude to Frank's wide circle of friends and all those who gave their time and attention so selflessly to him, especially in these last eight months since he was diagnosed with cancer.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Mystic Seaport Museum (www.mysticseaport.org) or to St. Patrick Church.

Please visit www.mysticfuneralhome.com to leave an online expression of sympathy and for directions to the funeral home.