Murray Raynor-Smith, of Flourtown, PA, died May 20, 2005, after a long battle with cancer. He was 79.

Murray worked in Construction Equipment Guide’s (CEG) circulation department for eight years; he was still employed part-time with CEG at the time of his passing.

Born in New York City in 1926, Murray attended rectory School in Pomfret, CT, and graduated from Westminster School in Simsbury, CT.

Murray attended Yale University where he earned a B.A. in international relations in 1948. He remained active with Yale, recruiting for their fund drive and interviewing applicants.

In New York City, Murray worked for the General Baking Company in its accounting department. In 1953, he began work for Marine Office of America, transferring to its Philadelphia office in 1954.

From 1957 to 1975, Murray was part of the Savoy Company, the local amateur Gilbert and Sullivan opera company. In 2000 and 2001, he participated in a bit with his daughter, Alison, also a Savoyard.

His later professional life was as a hospital administrator. He worked for the Child Study Center of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University Children and Youth Program and retired from Mercy Catholic Medical Center Department of Oncology and Hematology, in 1992.

For 12 years during his retirement, Murray was a tireless volunteer at Chestnut Hill Hospital where he did whatever they needed him to do, whether it was tabulating payroll, sifting through letters and packages in the mail room or transporting patients about the hospital.

Murray was an avid fan of both the football and baseball Giants, with the latter loyalty having taken root in the old Polo Grounds. Other interests included military history, trains and book collecting.

An articulate, sage man, Murray will be greatly missed at CEG where all of us who had the good fortune of knowing him held him (and always will) in high esteem as the perfect gentleman, a pleasure to work with.

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Virginia; three children, Kimberly, Alison and Spencer; a sister, Gertrude Notman; and a grandson, Benjamin; his sister Gertrude Notman; eight nieces and nephews; and 19 great-nieces and great-nephews.

A memorial service was held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chestnut Hill, PA, on June 4

Memorial contributions may be made to the Chestnut Hill Hospital, Department of Volunteers, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19118.

Arrangements were made by the Robert L. Manual Funeral Home Inc., Philadelphia.

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