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Matthew Marion Murray
1954 - 2017
Matthew Marion Murray
1954 - 2017
Obituary
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BORN
1954
DIED
2017
Matthew Murray Obituary
Matt Murray was born Sept. 8, 1954, the last of eight children, to Jim and Pat Murray in Chicago, Ill. The family moved to Seattle when Matt was 9. He attended St. Anne's, St. Edward's Seminary, O'Dea, Queen Anne and Ingraham high schools before graduating from Stanwood High School in 1972.
Matt worked as an Amtrak porter, fished for salmon and king crab in Alaska, was a realtor, worked at Todd Shipyards and did the long haul at Boeing, retiring in 2015 after 30 years.
Matt was a hard-working, fun-loving, fast-driving, wheelie-popping, tender-hearted, baseball-loving storyteller who loved to sing and dance and get physical, be it riding his super bike, skiing, riding bicycles, working in the yard, playing with grandkids or puttering around the house. He was a good man who loved life and always gave it his all.
Matt was the beloved husband of April Cody, proud father of Erin, Tim and Katie Murray, stepfather to Gina (Billy) and Tony (Rebekah) Rivisto, and super-proud grandpa to Kera and Ellis Helm and Amariah Rivisto.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Jerry and Steve Murray, and his infant granddaughter, Kaylee Murray. He is survived by his wife, April, brothers Mike (Judy) Murray, Mark Murray and John (Connie) Murray; sisters, Mary Pat (Vince) Arostegui and Maureen (Mark) Carlson, sister-in-laws Linda Murray, Terri Cody and Kim Cody, a ton of nieces and nephews, his blended family, and a huge pool of loving friends from all phases of his life.
Matt always read the obits, and he hated when they didn't say how people died. He had experienced a series of health challenges over the past 11 years, and suffered a massive stroke in November, 2016, that struck his language center and paralyzed his right side. He persevered (tough customer that he was) for eight months, came home on June 1 and was happy. On July 26, at age 62, he had a beautiful passage at home, facilitated by Evergreen Hospice, surrounded by loving family and the sound of windchimes.
A memorial celebration will be Friday, August 11, at noon, at the Laurel, 911 N 145th, Seattle. Parking south of the building, off Linden Avenue.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
July 27, 2018
I am truly sorry for the loss of your loved one. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to your entire family and friends. Please know that the God of all comfort has loving concern for you at this time, Psalms chapter 147 verse 3. I know you will miss your precious loved one every day, may God give you strength, peace and loving memories during this difficult time. Ann Smith
Ted Tufte
March 6, 2018
I met Matt in 1988, he hounded his Plant 2 head of the planning department (Ron Johnson) until he hired me in 1989. My 1st day at Boeing, Matt told my group supervisor that he wanted to show me around Plant 2. Matt "borrowed" a golf cart and we take off across W. Marginal Way to go check out the Blue Angels parked on the tarmac. That was by far my best ever 1st day on a job, we were gone the rest of the day. Rest in eternal peace, you changed my life. Take care buddy, they let you do wheelies up there?
Jane Fiorino Cowan
August 9, 2017
I had the pleasure of knowing Matt through his wife and my dear friend, April. April and I chat often and through the years she would tell me about the adventures, love and joy that she and Matt shared making me realize what a wonderfully stellar guy he was! He will be sorely missed, but may his shinning spirit burn bright in the hearts of all that he touched. Sincere condolences, especially to April and all of his family of whom he loved so dearly.
August 8, 2017
Matt was a one of a kind guy and will always have a special place in our hearts!! got to know Matt from Boeing days and i will remember his smiling face and great laugh - he will be missed!! always Doreen Rupprecht XO
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Bob Ferdaszewski
August 8, 2017
Worked with Matt @Boeing. SM-CM-BFE.
RIP
Rob Huff
August 8, 2017
I worked with Matt from 2006-2012. We enjoyed many conversations on politics, baseball and life in general. Those were great times. He is a good man and the world is a lesser place without him here. I hope that one of my favorite poems by Henry Van Dyke may offer some comfort.
Gone From My Sight
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side,spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts
for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength.
I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck
of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then, someone at my side says, "There, she is gone."
Gone where?
Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast, hull and spar as she was when she left my side. And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me -- not in her.
And, just at the moment when someone says, "There, she is gone," there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!"
And that is dying...
Until we meet again my friend.
Heaven's gateway.
Gene and Lana Stowers
August 7, 2017
Matt will be greatly missed by many people but the river will miss him as well. We have great memories of Matt and April coming to our special little place on the Skagit with their camper and boat. Night spent round the fire and days spent fishing. We love you for ever Mr. Murray!! I can see you now hair on fire riding a high speed bike! Our prayers are with your family to keep them strong through this time of loss. Love Gene and Lana Stowers
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