1949 – 2016

BOSTON, Mass. — Kenneth Gregory Murray passed away Friday, June 24, from congestive heart failure at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. His loving family was by his side through his last days.

Kenny was born to Jennie and Earle Murray of Mexico on Oct. 19, 1949. As a child he spent his summers at his parents’ business, Murray’s Cove, at Worthley Pond in Peru, where he learned the importance of hard work from his father and the necessity of good fun from his mother. He realized very early that Worthley Pond was where he wanted to spend his life.

It was there that he met his wife, Jeannine Cyr, and they began an infamous life together. Alongside Jeannine, he graduated from Mexico High, and, with her, went on to graduate from Ricker College in Houlton, and then received his master’s in education from the University of Maine.

They returned to the Rumford area and married in 1972. During their youth, they formed multiple rock bands including Psychotic Sounds, Satin Glass, Cavemen Plus and Close to Toast. Following his lifelong dream, in 1979, he purchased The Tavern in Rumford, changed the name, and reopened as the Barnboard to a full house on Friday, Aug. 13. His band, Nightcrew, played as the house band at the Barnboard through the 1980s and ’90s. From the beginning of his career, his goal was to provide musical entertainment to the people of the Rumford area.

Meanwhile, he purchased Murray’s Cove and continued his father’s business of providing a summer getaway for people from near and far. In 2005, he sold his business and spent his retirement at his home at Worthley Pond. He enjoyed summers by the lake playing music with his family and friends and spent the remaining seasons vacationing in Europe, taking cruises in the Caribbean and traveling throughout the United States. Recently, he and Jeannine formed a duet called Murray County and had begun playing together publicly again.

Ken is survived by his wife of 44 years, Jeannine; daughters, Nicki Longyear and her husband, Zach, of Smithfield, Rochelle Arnold and her husband, Jeremiah, of Steamboat Springs, Colo.; grandsons, Jaxson and Wyatt Longyear, and Dylan Arnold; sister, Darlene Taylor of Mexico; and brother, Roger Murray and his wife, Barbara, of South Portland.

Tributes and condolences may be shared by visiting www.wilesrc.com.

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