Forever associated with the Mona community, it was fitting that Gerry Murray’s thanksgiving service took place there on October 18 at Church of the Ascension.

The former Kingston College (KC) and Real Mona footballer died aged 75 on September 15 at his home in Red Hills, St Andrew.

Speakers at last Saturday’s service hailed his dedication to family, community and club. Lennox Robinson, the former St George’s College and Real Mona player, recalled Murray’s questionable culinary skills, but told the congregation he never lacked in character.

“He was always a caring person. He stood out as a leader, stood out as a friend, he was really brought up in a wonderful home. Gerry was like a sunshine in the winter, and he was like a cool breeze in the summer…he was a man for all seasons,” said Robinson.

Stewart Stephenson, who played alongside Murray at KC, and for Mona at the Minor, Major and Masters league levels, remembered him as “a gifted footballer with a humble personality” who was “very tenacious in competition”.

He noted that Murray was one of several footballers who emerged during the 1960s to die recently, others being Allan “Skill” Cole, Vernon Bell and Kenneth “Bop” Campbell.

“Gerry has gone to higher service. For me, it was an honour to be his friend and colleague,” said Stephenson.

Pointing to the gathering of former footballers in the church, Peter Moses, the former Calabar and Real Mona midfielder, credited his former teammate for playing a celestial role in the reunion.

“Gerry brought us together this morning and erased all the time that has passed,” he said.

The service was attended by Murray’s wife Carmen, his children Omari and Melissa, brothers Richard and Michael.

Among the congregation were former footballers, Stratton Palmer, Neville Oxford, Derrick Denniser, Roy Black, Wendell Smith, Ian Bond, Tony Young, Donovan Germain, Franklin Morant and Delroy Lewis.

Gerry Murray went to KC after attending Jamaica College up to the fifth form. He played at outside right on the KC team that won the 1967 Manning Cup, scoring one of the goals in the final, which ended 2-0 over Excelsior High School.

Murray earned a scholarship to Michigan State University, where he majored in mechanical engineering. His teammates there included Robinson and former KC players Trevor “Jumpy” Harris and Tony Keyes.