LEWISTON – Murray A. Schwartz, 81, of Mechanic Falls, died on Nov. 4, at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center.

Murray was born on May 7, 1924, in New York, N.Y., the son of Louis and Edna Schwartz. He received a bachelor of science degree from the University of Florida.

Murray served his country proudly as a corporal in the U.S. Army during World War II. He had a very distinguished service record, including being the recipient of the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts, as well as having been a prisoner of war captured during the Battle of the Bulge. His war experiences became the basis for a theatrical play called “Manny’s War” produced in collaboration with Bates College and the Lewiston Public Theatre in November 2000. The play was nominated for the Eugene O’Neill Award.

He was a longtime resident of New York. He purchased the Ram-Ewe Farm in 1980 in Mechanic Falls and became a full-time resident of Maine in 1985. Murray always described himself as “the best Jewish farmer in Mechanic Falls.”

Among his many interests, he was a skilled navigator and yachtsmen and had his boat built in Kennebunkport in the 1960s. In addition, he was one of the founders of the Maine POW Organization, in which he remained actively involved for the last 20 years. He was a Mason and member of the Tyrian Lodge in Mechanic Falls.

He is survived by his daughter, Dr. Penny Schwartz of New York, N.Y.; son, Steven Schwartz and his wife, Roberta, of Massapequa, N.Y.; brother, Dr. Arthur Schwartz; grandchildren, Louis, Jennifer, and Matthew; nieces, Susan and Erica; nephew, Richard; and his faithful dog Sami, whom he rescued from the shelter at the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society.

He was predeceased by his parents.

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