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Walter McMurray Jr.

Walter J. “Walt” McMurray Jr., 88, formerly of Madison, died in his home in Old Saybrook on Nov. 12, 2023. He was born in Greenfield, Massachusetts, to Catherine Freeman McMurray and Walter McMurray Sr. on Aug. 22, 1935.

Walt met Frances Warsawsaki in the summer of 1955 and married on July 16, 1960, after waiting five years for her to say “yes.” Fran is so grateful for his patience so she could graduate from high school and college and truly see the kind gentleman and lovely man he was. For 51 years, Walt and Fran made their home on Windward Lane in Madison, where they were blessed with lifelong friends and cherished memories. He enjoyed many hobbies through the years, including gardening, Franco’s softball, paddle tennis, his men’s poker group, and attending sporting events and performing arts for his children and grandchildren. They downsized to Old Saybrook five years ago.

Walt was a true academic, graduating from Deerfield Academy in 1954 and Amherst College in 1958. He continued his studies at the University of Illinois (PhD), 1962, followed by a post-doc fellowship at MIT under the late Professor Klaus Biemann, after which he started his career at Yale School of Medicine as a research scientist in mass spectrometry. While working at Yale, Walt earned an MBA from the University of New Haven, passing his CPA shortly after graduating, and a JD from the University of Connecticut School of Law, 1983. Walt was grateful for the strong educational foundation Deerfield and Amherst provided. He remained active in the Amherst Alumni Association throughout his life while continuing to support all his schools. He especially loved attending Amherst and Deerfield annual reunions while his health allowed. Walt worked at Yale for 42 years. Not only did he enjoy the discovery in science, but he was most enriched by the brilliant minds and young fellows over his years of working. Science was his passion, and he proudly retired at the age of 72.

Walt is survived by his wife, Fran, of 62 years. He leaves behind his children, Carolyn Henry (Jim) and their children: Ken, Alexis Souaid (Roy) and Sam; Ellen Hartmann (Jerry), and their children, Gerard “DJ,” Mark and Spencer; “Mac” Walter McMurray III and his children, Travis, Chase and Ryder; and Elizabeth Burleson (Ed) and their children, Grace, Davis and Clark.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Yale New Haven Home Care Plus/ Hospice for their guidance and loving care. We could never had cared for Walt/Dad at home without your enduring, unwavering support. It is what he wanted, and we were able to fulfill his wish because of you. Donations in Walt’s memory may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association, Macular Degeneration Association, or the American Heart Association.