J. Michael Murray

J. MICHAEL MURRAY

HORNELL-J .Michael Murray, 67, of Delaware Ave., passed away Monday afternoon (Aug. 15, 2011), at St. James Mercy Hospital in Hornell, in the presence of his loving family, after a brief illness.
Born in Corning on April 30, 1944, he was a son of the late John and Caroline
Clark Murray. On July 14, 1978, he was married at St. Ignatius Loyola Church in Hornell to the former Bonnie Anne Brown, who survives.
Mike grew up in Addison and has resided in Hornell for most of his life. He proudly served his country with the U.S. Army in Vietnam from 1965 to his honorable discharge in 1967.
He was employed by the former Foster-Wheeler Corp. in Dansville and for 10 years he was employed by the Hornell City School District first as a custodian and later retired as a plumber.
A “jack of all trades” and an avid outdoorsman, Mike loved to go hunting, fishing, (especially at the Ausable River in the Adirondacks) and motorcycle riding. He also enjoyed birds and collecting various bird books; as well as spending time feeding and watching the birds in his backyard, always making sure the squirrels stayed away from the bird feeders.
Everyone that met him liked him, which was evident from the many friends he met on a daily basis every morning at JC’s Café with his “coffee group.” Most of all he dearly loved his family and adored his grandchildren who affectionately called him “Poppy.” One of his favorite things to do was to make sure that his grandchildren received a two dollar bill and a gold coin on special occasions.
His family includes his wife Bonnie with whom he just celebrated 33 years of marriage on July 14; his three children, Scott (Dawn) Murray of Rochester, Karianne (Ryan) Clancy of Chester, N.Y. and Shawn (Jessica) Murray of Saranac Lake; his nine grandchildren, Desiree, Brook and Noah Murray, Mackenzie, Regan and Rhys Clancy, Kylie, Rylee and Tyler Murray; his sister-in-law, Theresa Murray of Georgia; his brother-in-law, David Prutsman of Corning his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Frank and Barbara Brown of Dingmans Ferry, Pa.; also his many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Ellen Prutsman and his brother, J. Patrick Murray.
Calling hours are from 1-4 and 6-9 p.m. Thursday at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell, where a funeral and committal service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday with Deacon Robert McCormick officiating.
The United States flag and the Army flag will proudly fly at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. in recognition of Mike’s service with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to the Mercy Suite at St. James Mercy Hospital, 411 Canisteo St., Hornell, N.Y. 14843. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.