Francis Wisner Murray III

Born in Goshen, NY, and nicknamed “Mike” after a sailboat‘s automatic steering device, he was the fourth of five children. He grew up in Tuxedo Park, NY and graduated from The Harvey School, St. Paul's School and Yale. Following college, he served in the National Guard for four years. Deciding he wanted to expand beyond a country banker like his father, he began his distinguished banking career at Chemical Bank in the fall after his Yale graduation. He gained significant responsibility ultimately running the Metropolitan Division and then the Operations Division over a 31-year tenure. After Chemical, he moved to New Jersey as President of Fidelity Union Bank based in Newark. When that bank was sold, he returned to live in Cold Spring Harbor on Long Island, spending eight years as head of Private Banking in New York and Washington DC for the Bank of America. He was a director of the Manhattan Life Insurance Company.

An avid sailor throughout his life, he was a regular, racing around the buoys in Cold Spring Harbor on Saturday and Sunday afternoons in Wood Pussys and Atlantics often with his children as crew. Mornings were reserved for tennis on the courts of the Cold Spring Harbor Beach Club. Skating had been a family recreation as a child and at St. Paul’s and Yale he excelled in ice hockey which, in addition to sailing, he taught his family to love. In his later years, he enjoyed golf and croquet. In all he was very competitive but in the nicest way, a good winner and a good loser and always with a sense of humor and humility.

A community contributor, Mike served many local organizations as a volunteer. He contributed to, and participated in, many philanthropic, civic and club activities. He was a director of the Regional Plan Association, Visiting Nurse Service of New York among others.

He is survived by his wife Julia Bowdoin Murray, with whom he shared 25 years of marriage, and his two children, a daughter Sarah Ramsey Murray Alexander, and a son Francis Wisner Murray (wife Betts Howes Murray). He was devoted to and smitten by his three grandchildren and one great grandchild: Francis Murray (wife Teresa Galli) of Brooklyn, NY and their daughter Rose Murray, Barbara “Polly” Murray of Providence, RI, and Sarah Alexander of Annapolis, MD (fiancé Julius C. Smith III). He is also survived by his sister Cynthia Murray Henriques and several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. He is also survived by five stepchildren Shelly Ames Hartz, Foerd Ames, David Key, Robert Key, Albert Key, and their spouses and descendants. He was predeceased by his first and second wives, Sarah Watson Murray and Shirley Foerderer Ames Murray and by three of his sisters, Lydia Davis, Alice Ward and Meg Keech.

It is difficult to summarize all of the wonderful attributes of this man. He shared his integrity, sense of humor, and friendly perspective with all. Mike was always upbeat and looking forward. He handled life’s challenges with grace and dignity.

The family wishes to express sincere gratitude for and to the care team. In lieu of flowers, the family gratefully suggests donating to The WaterFront Center in Oyster Bay NY. www.thewaterfrontcenter.org/donate

A memorial service will be held at a later date.