Robert A Murray

Robert "Bob" Murray, assistant athletic director and girl's volleyball coach at Woodward High School, died on May 27, 2011. His sudden and unexpected death, at 52, has created an enormous void in his family and among his many friends. Bob was a leader who got things done. He had a booming voice and was a presence in any company. Those who did not know him might have considered him intimidating. In fact, he was a pussycat with a heart of gold. Bob's generosity was legendary; giving was the essence of his being. He took great delight in surprising his family and friends with unexpected gifts. Despite a busy schedule, Bob was even more generous with his time. When family and friends mentioned a home renovation project they had in mind, Bob would turn up and before anyone could say "what happened?" the project was done. Over the years, scores of Woodward students and family members, especially his beloved nieces and nephews, benefited from his mentoring and counseling. Bob, born July 16, 1958, grew up in North Toledo. He attended Lagrange Elementary and Woodward High School, graduating in 1977. At 14, Bob met the girl he later told friends he was going to marry, 13-year-old Alice Khoury. Bob and Alice were married on Oct. 20, 1984. Their union was so tight, you rarely mentioned one name without the other. Bob worked at Chrysler Jeep from 1978 to 2003, when he retired. He returned to Woodward as a volunteer assistant coach on the girl's softball team. Bob eventually became girl's volleyball coach and assistant athletic director. He also was president of the school's Polar Bear 200 Club, which provided assistance to Woodward students and teachers. For his many years of service to his alma mater, Bob was inducted into the Woodward High School Hall of Fame several years ago. Additionally, Bob was a partner in Smith Murray Investigations, which he and a friend, Daniel "Smitty" Smith, opened in 1999. Bob was a member of the Blessed Sacrament Golf League for many years. He loved games of any kind and was a keen competitor. Most recently, he particularly enjoyed playing dominoes with his father-in-law, Shafic Khoury, and other family members. Bob had an extraordinary relationship and bond with Alice's family. From the time they met him, the Khourys adopted Bob as one of their own and he provided immeasurable support to the Khoury family. Bob was a devoted caregiver to his mother, Rosemary. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Murray, Sr. Surviving are his wife, Alice; mother, Rosemary; brothers; Danny, Corey and Michael; in-laws, Shafic and Manzar Khoury; brother-in-law, Nate [Jeanine] Khoury; sister-in-laws, Nadeemi [Ron] Sayyah, Laurice Tuite [George] Tanber, and Joanne Khoury; nephews, Ronnie and Ryan Sayyah, William Tuite, Daniel and Dustin Murray, and Christopher Murray; nieces, Nicole, Bubby and Dee Dee Khoury, Nina [Sean] Elliot, Erica Tuite, and Christine Murray; and one-great nephew, Sam Elliot. Visitation will be on Wednesday, June 1, from 2 to 8 p.m. at Gasiorowski-Hanneman Funeral Home, 1757 Tremainsville Rd., with Bersticker-Scott Funeral Home presiding. A Trisagion Prayers service will be held at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be on Thursday, June 2, at 10 a.m. at St. George Christian Orthodox Cathedral, 3754 Woodley Rd., followed by burial at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome contributions to the Robert A. Murray Scholarship Fund.

Visitation Details

Wednesday, June 1st, 2011 2:00pm - 8:00pm, Gasiorowski-Hanneman Funeral Home

Service Information

Thursday, June 2nd, 2011 10:00am, St. George Orthodox Cathedral

Interment Details

Ottawa Hills Memorial Park Cemetery