Lester Murry

Lester Fray Murry was born on March 16th, 1934 in La Boca, Panama, to his beloved parents, Lucille and Samuel Henry Murray.

Although, Lester was born in Panama; he was reared in Kingston, Jamaica.

At the age of sixteen, Lester's family returned to the country of Panama; however, to his mother's astonishment, Lester chose to remain in Jamacia, for he commenced employment and enjoyed the engagement in bicycle racing competitions.

This significant life decision was the genesis of Lester's individualism.

Lester was a complex, multifaceted unique individual.

He was assertive, confident, compassionate, genuine, fiscally responsible, resourceful, and strong-willed.

Moreover, he was brash, courageous, meticulous, outspoken, opinionated, and unapologetically defiant.

Most notably, Lester was a God-fearing man who fully appreciated and recognized his blessings.

His personal and professional challenges and life's teachings were divinely ordered, for his Heavenly Father's merciful hands were ever-present in his life and the lives of his loved ones.

Lester loved his family and his true friends, particularly his best friend, Fitzy Moath.

In addition, his enjoyment and pleasures were many: he was an avid sports fan, he particularly enjoyed watching track and field; the New York Yankees, the New York Knicks; and boxing legends, such as Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Marvin Hagler and Sugar Ray Leonard.

At the age of twenty-four, Lester migrated to the United States and resided in the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens in the state of New York.

Lester was ambitious, industrious and highly motivated and; although, he had a congenital hearing impairment (acoustic nerve damage); he never allowed his disability to hinder his progression.

He consistently maintained employment as a maintenance technician and nursing assistant at the community-based hospitals in New York City.

At the age of thirty-five, Lester married his first wife, Doris Farley, on October 25th, 1969.

There were two children born of this six-year union, Conway and Natalie.

Upon the dissolution of his first marriage, Lester married his beloved life partner, Evelina, affectionately known as "Tia".

Evelina was a gentle, kindhearted spirit; she demonstrated altruism, compassion and continual encouragement to family members, friends and especially to Lester.

Her unwavering support and encouragement were pervasive throughout their forty-six-year union.

Notably, in the late 1970's, Evelina encouraged Lester to complete his educational training.

As a result, Lester completed his high school equivalency diploma at the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) and; subsequently, earned his Associates Degree within the specialization of Air Conditioner, Refrigeration and Cooling.

This achievement enabled Lester to acquire and maintain employment, for approximately twenty years, as an Air Conditioner and Refrigeration Technician at the New York University's Hospital for Joint Disease.

In 1991, Lester and Evelina retired and relocated to the state of Florida.

Throughout their retirement, they enjoyed traveling, attending Sunday Masses and spending quality time with friends and family members.

Specifically, Lester enjoyed listening to his classic jazz musicians, such as Billy Eckstine, Nat King Cole, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald and Miles Davis

In 2014, Evelina began to experience the physiological and psychological effects of Alzheimer's Disease.

Lester absolutely adored Evelina; he loved, supported and advocated for her during her extensive and challenging medical journey.

During this seventeen-year period, Evelina was primarily cared for by Lester, for he adamantly refused to entertain a nursing home placement.

As such, he experienced the agonizing process of observing his beloved Evelina's condition gradually deteriorate until her transition in March of 2021.

Upon the passing of Evelina, Lester's life was forever changed; the loss of his beloved life partner and; soon thereafter, losing the ability to drive; adversely impacted his physical and psychological well-being until his transition on Thursday, September 21st, 2023.

Lester was predeceased by his four sisters: Mavis Claire Cole, Florence Duffas, Venetia Bonner and Thelma Anita Murray.

Lester is survived by his brother, Windsor Murray; his son, Conway and loving daughter, Natalie; and many nephews and nieces, namely: Carolyn Clark, Carolyn Craven, Bridgette Duffas, Donna Duffas, Marcella "Precious" Evans and Jennifer Hinds.

Notably, special recognition and heartfelt appreciation is extended to his niece, Valerie "Toni" Rankine, for Toni provided physical and emotional support, within her private residence, to Lester during his initial hospitalization in the Fall of 2022.

Additionally, the Murry Family wants to extend deepest and profound appreciation to Lester's personal caregivers: Shirley Arjoon, Cheryl Deazer, Hyacinth Carty and Maryse Jean Pierre.

Particularly, Ms. Hyacinth and Ms. Jean provided quality, benevolent, consistent care with devotion, diligence, and boundless generosity.

Words cannot express the depth of our appreciation for their sacrifice, commitment, and professionalism to our beloved, Lester.

In closing, our beloved Lester, was admired, cherished, revered, and profoundly loved; we will love and miss him forever and a day.

May He Rest in Eternal Peace