Gelston B. "Toot" Murray

Gelston B. “Toot” Murray, 91, of Hermitage, passed away peacefully on Saturday December 19th, 2015 at Nugent Convalescent Home in Hermitage, PA.  
  
Toot was born on April 2nd, 1924 to John William and Sara (Baxendell) Murray in Wilson, PA. His family moved to North Sharon when he was 5 years old, and he lived there all his life until he moved to Hermitage 10 years ago. He attended Sharon Schools until he left to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Toot worked as a Car Inspector for Erie Lackawannack Railroad and retired with Conrail after 37 years. On January 21st, 1953 he married his wife Madeline Lucas in St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church Farrell, PA by Father Petrick.

Toot never talked much about the war but you could tell from the bits and pieces that you did hear that he was truly part of “The Greatest Generation.”  One of his responsibilities during the war was keeping the airstrip secure on Okinawa Island. He was also on a ship headed for Japan just before they surrendered.
He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Sharon. In his younger days he was an avid golfer playing with the Erie Lackawanna Golf League at Yankee Run Golf Course where he got his first hole-in-one. Later in life he played in the Sharon American Legion Golf League at the then Birchwood Golf Course always enjoying the 19th hole with the gang.
Toot was also a member of the North Sharon Fire Hall, Sharon American Legion and the Hickory VFW. He enjoyed gardening, raising his own plants from seed and sharing those plants with his friends. In his retirement he enjoyed working at the Golden Dawn in Thorton Hall, Sharon.

His fondest memories were of the neighborhood on Heinz Avenue in Sharon and of the Williams’ Family:  Ed, Carolyn, Matt, Amy, and Mark.
Papa Toot was a proud grandfather and often said that although he wasn’t sure what his older grandkids were going to do when they grew up, he knew they were going to be successful.  He was blessed with his youngest grandchild John William. A little later in life they were best  buddies.  Papa would wait for his 9:30 phone call to find out how John William’s day went and to say good night.
Toot was a kind hearted soul. There are people that you really can’t say anything bad about and he was one of them.  He learned kindness from his parents and taught kindness to his children.
He is survived at home by his wife, the love of his life, his “Honey.”  He always said, “She takes good care of me” and “I don’t know what I would do without her.”, daughter - Linda Murray of Maderia Beach, FL; 2 sons - Philip Murray and his wife Leslie of Scarsdale, NY, John Murray and his wife Linda of Hermitage, PA; 4 Grandchildren - Ryan, Alissa, Paul, and John William.  
He was preceded in death by his father, John William Murray, mother, Sara Murray, brother, Frank Murray, and brother, John Murray.

Friends may call Saturday, December 26th, 2015 from 10:30 am to 11:30 am at Stephen J. Sherman Funeral Home, Hermitage, PA.
    
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 26th, 2015, 11:30 am at the Stephen J. Sherman Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Hermitage, PA, with Pastor Glenn Hink, officiating and Father Kevin Marks co-officiating.
  
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions sent to Sharon Regional Hospice and Palliative Care 740 East State Street Sharon, PA 16146 or the Buhl Park Foundation 715 Hazen Rd. Hermitage, PA 16148.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to his special caregiver Joyce, Caregivers from the VA, Sharon Regional Hospice, and Nugents Convalescent Home.
  
Online condolences may be expressed at www.shermanfuneralhome.com.
There were a couple things that you could always count on Toot saying routinely,  “We have enough gas to get to Youngstown and back.”   “Lamb cools off fast.”  and  “Be careful.”  
Nighty, Night Papa Toot.  We’ll see you again soon.
Arrangements entrusted to the Stephen J. Sherman Funeral Home & Cremation Service.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gelston B. "Toot" Murray, please visit our floral store.