Obituary of Edward Jerry Murphy

EDWARD JERRY MURPHY, 68 of Belfast, went to be with Jesus on October 28, 2021, at Maine Medical Center in Portland with a stomach aneurysm. He was born April 25,1953 in Camden, Maine to Jerry Edward and Freda Sophronia (Martz) Murphy. In addition to his parents, Ed was predeceased by his wife Candy Murphy; his only brother Donnie Murphy, and one sister Sherry Colson. As a child, Ed grew up in Searsmont and Liberty where he helped his father cut fire wood. He spent even more time in the outdoors with the Boy Scouts where he worked his way up to Eagle Scout. Ed owned several stores, a redemption center and a laundromat throughout Waldo County. He also owned and operated Ed Murphy’s wreath and tree stand. In later years, he turned it over to his daughter, Shanna, her husband Gregg Grindle and their children, though Ed still made many wreaths. He worked for WCAP for 43 years and was one of their best grant writers and fund-raisers; his biggest grant was for 5 million dollars for Midcoast Connector. Throughout the years, Ed raised lots of money for those in need, holding many spaghetti dinners, bottle drives, auctions, or whatever it took. Ed also loved hunting, fishing, cooking, playing Bingo, hanging out with family and friends, sitting by the ocean, and helping others. He was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church where Ed loved Pastor Mark and all the church family. He would want you to know that if you attend, “you will feel at home.” Ed was also a member of Masons Lodge #111 of Liberty, Maine. He is survived by his daughters, Monica Brown and husband Wade of Monroe, Shanna Grindle and husband Gregg of Belfast; four granddaughters: Morgan Murphy, Madyson Brown, Julieanna Grindle, Brianna Grindle; his only grandson, born on Ed’s birthday, Bryan Spaulding; siblings Arlene Flye and husband James of West Chester, PA, Pauline Heroux of Belfast, and a special brother-in-law, Ronnie Hall of Waldoboro; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends. A celebration of life will be held at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Belfast on November 13, 2021 at 1 PM with James Flye and Mark Ruggerio officiating with food and fellowship immediately following.