Alden B. Murray, retired insurance salesman
Alden B. Murray, 81, of Georgetown, passed away peacefully Sunday, Aug, 10, 2014, at home surrounded by his loving family.
Alden was born in Milton. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leroy and Cleora (Outten) Murray; and his beloved aunt, Mary Reed, who raised him. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Chadda Hall.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, a Delaware State Trooper and a marketing representative for Selective Risk Insurance Company for 25 years and then for Delaware Mutual Insurance Company, retiring in 1993. After retirement, he continued his service to the community with Short Funeral Services and Berry-Short Funeral Homes, where he worked as a funeral directors assistant for 14 years. He was always willing to assist the funeral home day or night when called upon.
He was past commander of American Legion Post 8 and a member of the American Legion, Ambulance Station 93, past assistant chief of Georgetown Fire Company Station 77 and past president and coach for the Georgetown Little League. Through the years, he was an active supporter of the Georgetown Little League, helping to cook chicken for the fundraisers. He was a past member of the Indian River School Board and past president of the Boy Scout Troop 95.
He was a lifelong member of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church. He was a volunteer at the CHEER Center and the Delaware Hospice (Festival of Trees) for 20 years. He was a committee member for the Delaware Elections Department for 30 years.
However, nothing was ever more important to Alden than his wife, children and grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Gertrude (Dickerson) Murray; children, Karen West and husband Bill of Milton, Sandy Wilgus and husband Michael of Bethany Beach, Joanne Wilkins and husband Danny of Georgetown and Col. (Ret.) Mark Murray and wife Betsy of Fayetteville, N.C.; two sisters, Kay Dill of Georgetown and Fay Burnham of Milton; 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren and one on the way.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Aug. 14, at noon in the chapel of Short Funeral Services, 609 E. Market St., Georgetown, where friends may call after 10 am. Interment will be in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Georgetown Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 77, Georgetown, DE 19947, Georgetown American Legion, Ambulance Fund, 406 N. Front St., Georgetown, DE 19947 or Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.
