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Ronald Arthur Murch

Date of Death: January 29, 2017

Date of Birth: April 21, 1928

Biography:

Ronald Arthur Murch—Lewiston—Ronald Arthur Murch died Sunday, January 29, 2017 at d'Youville Pavilion in Lewiston, Maine. He was born in Rockland, Maine on April 21, 1928, the son of Malcolm and Lena Barnes Murch. After graduating from Bridgton High School in 1947, he went on to Aurora College (now Aurora University) in Illinois, and earned a B.A. in music in 1953, a Bachelor of Theology in 1955, and a Master of Education from the University of Massachusetts in 1962. He served churches in New London, CT; West Wareham, MA; East Granby, CT; Carr, FL; and Auburn, Maine. He also taught French and English at East Granby, CT Junior-Senior High School from 1964 to 1983. After moving to Lewiston, Maine in 1986, he taught at Franklin Academy in Sabattus, and substituted for various subjects in the Auburn school system. He married Carol Sylvester Edgecomb in 1986, and they had thirty happy years together. They enjoyed their annual trips to Virginia and Tennessee to spend time with son, Bruce, and his wife Beverly, and their children and grandchildren; and daughter, Miriam Kezer, and her husband, Bruce, and their children. Many of Ronald's former students kept in touch through the years and developed lasting friendships. One former student, Tricia Grant Gregoire, requested that Ronald and Carol become her godparents, and they were delighted to fill that role in her life. Ronald was known to be a loyal friend to people he met as far back as grade school, and to friends he met in more recent years. Besides his wife, Carol, and his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, he leaves a sister, Janice Chapman of Dowling Park, FL, and a sister-in-law, Janice Huntley Murch, of Zephyrhills, FL. He was predeceased by his father in 1982, his mother in 1984, his brother, Bruce in 1953, his brother, Sherwin in 2013 and his brother Brian in 2016 and many dear friends. Many thanks to Unit 4 West at d'Youville, and Beacon Hospice for the excellent care they provided for the past year. There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, February 18 at 1 p.m. at the Turner Street Community Church (Advent Christian), 263 Turner Street, Auburn. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to a favorite charity or do a good deed for a person in need to honor him. Arrangements by Funeral Alternatives, Lewiston.