Obituary of Donald A. Murray

Donald "Don" Murray, of Syracuse passed away Wednesday, September 12th. Don was the son of John & Catherine Murray. He was born in Utica and grew up in Whitesboro, NY. He was a letter carrier for 46 1/2 years. He worked in the surrounding Utica area until he moved to Syracuse in the 70's where he worked at Teall Station. He was a big union supporter. He worked as a union steward & arbitrator. He often represented his union at the Syracuse labor council & won an award for his years of service. Even after his retirement, he stayed active with the NALC Branch 134. He felt very strongly about fighting for what you believe in and for fighting for workers rights & equality. He was often seen
on the picket line willing to protest until a fair contract was signed or passing out flyers reminding people to vote. In recent years when walking wasn't as easy, he started making food for the picketers. He'd show up with big vats of chili in support of his union brothers & sisters, as he always called them.
Don was also the best Dad and Grandpa (Papa). He would go to every sporting event, dance recital, band concert and play. He was so proud of his family & he was so supportive. He was always willing to help. But, what he loved most was spoiling his family & making them feel special.
He loved woodworking. He made beautiful bookcases, cabinets, crafts, decorations and was pretty handy at building decks. He was Mr. Fix- It around the house.
He was predeceased by his older brother John Murray, his mother Catherine Murray, his father John Murray and his wife Gerry Murray. 
He leaves behind a daughter Jen Scanna (Eric), his four grandkids- Lucas, Ava, Kamry & Olivia Scanna, his brother Ron Murray (Diane), nieces Colleen Marshall & Kelly Murray, nephew David Walters and his beloved dog Cooper.
Friends may call at the Goddard-Crandall-Shepardson Funeral Home, Inc. On Monday, September 17th,  from 4 to 7:00pm. Prayer services will be held  Tuesday at the funeral home at 9:30 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10am at Blessed Sacrament Church. Burial will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Syracuse Food Bank or the Muscular Dystrophy Association.