Albert Keith Murray

1939 – 2016

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Al at our 50th Reunion, July 16, 2011.

 


 

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Albert Keith Murray
June 18, 1939 - May 22, 2016

 

Surrounded by all of us, Dad was called by our Savior to his eternal reward following a courageous struggle with Parkinsonian related health issues.

He has now joined his high school sweetheart and wife of forty six years, our Mom, Olivia Saiz Murray. Smitten from the start, she was absolutely irresistible to him. She waits no longer for the first dance of the rest of their lives.

Dad was keenly proud of his native San Franciscan heritage and German/Scottish/Irish lineage. A true native son: born, raised, and residing until his death in The City. Besides Ollie, Dad is now reunited with his parents, Elinor Schmid Murray and Jerome Timothy Murray and siblings Romily Geoffrian and Jerome Carter Murray, along with many other Schmid and Murray aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Dad’s legacy continues in us, his children: Victoria Baldocchi (Robert), Mark (Tracy) Murray, Elizabeth Hurley and his grandchildren, Lauren and Jack Murray, Vincent Hurley, Clarissa and Robert Keith Baldocchi. Also surviving Dad is Mom’s best friend, sidekick, and Godmother to each of us, Dolly Garcia. Dad had great affection for our uncles and their wives, John and Susan Saiz, Victor and Betsy Saiz, and Maripaz Perdices and Bill. He also had a wonderful relationship (since they shared the same birthday) with his sister-in-law Gwen Murray. He will be greatly missed by many loving nieces and nephews as well.

Dad was educated locally at Most Holy Redeemer, Sacred Heart High School (’57), and Saint Mary’s College (’61) where he admired and respected the Lasallian teaching and traditions of the Christian Brothers. He was All City in track, played four years of football at Sacred Heart, and captained the rugby team in his fourth season at St. Mary’s. This helps to explain the (mis) shape of his nose…Finally Dad earned his JD at night from Golden Gate Law School, also working at Schmidt Lithograph and other part time jobs while the three of us attended St Thomas More.

Our Dad was a true Renaissance Man. Dad could and did do anything: brick a wall, remodel a kitchen, pour a slab, rebuild an engine; hunt duck, deer, dove and pheasant; handicap a horse race, work the press as a union lithographer, dance like no one was watching, and regularly attend the opera and symphony. He loved to sit in his living room, listening to music, beverage in hand, reflecting on the accomplishments he and Mom had achieved.

Dad was complimented by Mom. They loved to entertain with great finery at our family home, but you could just as easily find them picnicking on the 5th hole at Pebble Beach every Clambake and U.S. Open. Dad was in heaven on his ’64 Ford tractor he named Henry. His Duck Club in Los Banos was one of his happiest places on the planet where he and Mom enjoyed many a sunset over the grasslands from the roof deck he built.

Dad was a true American, believing we live in the greatest country in the world. He had unwavering esteem and admiration for those in uniform. He faithfully flew the Stars and Stripes on his front porch.

One of the greatest days of Dad’s life was when he began his legal career as a prosecutor for The City. Through five administrations he was a true trial attorney, the heavy hitter called upon to try the toughest, most press scrutinized cases. Few others enjoyed the reputation our Dad did among his colleagues on both sides of the bar and from the bench. He well earned the moniker, Fightin’ Al Murray. Named one of the State’s Top Ten Prosecutors, he was described over and over again as a person of unwavering integrity, and honesty. Dad was tough and fearless in the courtroom, but above all, he was fair and deeply admired the rule of law.

Although Dad was a very humble man, the sin of pride is detected when it comes to us, his children. He was extremely proud and protective of us. He shared in our victories and defeats – assuring us we would learn more from the latter and come out the better for it. His simple compliment, Ya done good kid was all it took for us to feel confident and capable; it meant we had made him proud.

Dad (and Mom) imbued in us the values of Faith, personal integrity, family loyalty, patriotism, hard work, long hours, helping others, education, athletic competition, and art and music appreciation.

Our Mom was fond of propounding the following question, Who’s The Greatest Guy In The Whole World? To this we replied, Daddy! That made him grin.

We shall forever aspire to and execute his famous admonition, Do it right or don’t do it at all.

Please join us in honoring the beautiful man, the consummate gentleman, the dear friend, the loving son, brother, husband and father, Albert K. Murray for the People on Wednesday June 1, 2016 at 6:30 in the evening at Saint Cecilia’s Church located on Vicente at 17th Avenue in San Francisco where we will celebrate his life with a Mass and a reception immediately following the ceremony.

Should you care to honor Dad with a donation to one of his favorite causes, please consider (and specify) The Pat Vincent Rugby Endowment at Saint Mary’s College 1928 St Mary’s Road, Moraga, California 94575.

SF Chronicle masthead May 29, 2016

 


Al's last contact info:, 67 Rosewood Drive, San Francisco, CA 94127 415-333-2244

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