East Ryegate, VT Robert Franklin Murray 83, of Symes Pond Road, died November 27, 2009, at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital in St. Johnsbury, VT, following a lengthy illness. He was born in Barnet, VT, August 16, 1926, a son of Kenneth N. and Jane (Heath) Murray. He enlisted in the U. S. Navy on December 21, 1944 and served until his discharge on June 29, 1946. He joined the Navy Reserves on June 30, 1946 and was recalled to active duty in 1951and was honorably discharged on June 29, 1954. Robert was a self employed dairy farmer in Ryegate until the mid 1960 s. During the 1970 s he worked at the Linfield Ward Farm in North Monroe. Later he began his own carpentry business, which he continued until his retirement. He attended the Calvary Baptist Church in Woodsville, and was a member of the Farm Bureau. Robert married Lola Smith on May 22, 1948, in Wells River, VT. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Lola (Smith) Murray of East Ryegate, and their children Linda Bradshaw and husband Bernie of Monroe, NH, Sherry Carlson and husband David of Carbondale, IL, Robert N. Murray and wife Caren, and Timothy Murray, both of East Ryegate; six grandchildren; three great grandchildren; two sisters, Margaret Strobridge of West Barnet, VT, and Christie Hersey of Groton, VT, and a brother, Donald M. Murray of East Ryegate; several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by four sisters, Jessie Welch, Roberta Gibson, Annie Page, and Hazel Lancaster; two brothers, Kenneth B. Murray and Norman W. Murray. Calling hours will be Monday, November 30, from 6 to 8 PM at the Ricker Funeral Home, 1 Birch Street, Woodsville, NH. The funeral service will be on Tuesday, December 1, at 11 AM at Ricker Funeral Home, 1 Birch Street, Woodsville, NH, with Pastor Dan Chamberland of Calvary Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in the Blue Mt. Cemetery, Ryegate. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital, P.O. Box 905, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819, Cottage Hospital, P.O. Box 2001, Woodsville, NH 03785 or Calvary Baptist Church, 20 Elm Street, Woodsville, NH 03785.