RIP Mike Murray, "Dean of Missouri Bicycle Advocacy" - 1939-2016

Stephen Michael Murray, a long-time board member and past president of the Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation, founding board member and former president of Great Rivers Greenway District, founding board member of Forest Park Forever, passed away February 24th, 2016 of cancer.

Mike Murray, "Dean of Missouri Bicycle Advocacy" - 1939-2016

Mike was an avid runner--50 mile Masters National Champion and founding member of the 6:20 Club--and bike racer--three-time Masters National Road Race Champion, Regional Director for the United States Cycling Federation, and Chairman of the USA Olympic Cycling Team. 

I first met Mike when he was on MoBikeFed's board in 2002, when the organization was re-constituted after a hiatus.  He corresponded with me often over the years about bicycle-advocacy related matters and received our Distinguished Service Award as "Dean of Missouri Bicycle Advocacy" in 2011.

A celebration of Mike's life will be held Feb 28th and his funeral will be Feb 29th, 2016--details below.

In 2011, the Missouri Bicycle  & Pedestrian Federation awarded Mike its Distinguished Service to Walking and Bicycle award. The award text read:

Mike Murray has been an influential advocate for cycling on the local, state, and national levels. He was a founding member and past President of Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation. As a competitor, Mike has won numerous National Champion Awards in his age category. The organizations he has been involved with include Great Rivers Greenway District, East-West Gateway Council of Governments, Trailnet, United States Cycling Federation, and Missouri Bicycle Racing Association.

From Mike's obituary:

Mike was born April 6, 1939, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the eldest of six children, to Marjorie Ellen Pequignot and John Joseph Murray. He attended school at St. Paul of the Cross, Park Ridge, Illinois; St. George High School, Evanston, Illinois, and the University of Notre Dame, 19611964. He received a MBA from Washington University in 1975.

He began a career in business with Warnaco Sportswear in Puerto Rico, and was later employed by General Foods International. Mike subsequently joined the StewartWarner Corporation, where he remained for sixteen years, until retiring in 1991.

Mike served in the Peace Corps in Colombia, South America from 1961 to 1963, in Washington, D.C. from 1963 to 1965 and in Per, South America from 1965 to 1967.

He was a founding board member of Forest Park Forever, a first member and past Chairman of the Forest Park Advisory Committee, as well as a first member and past President of the Great Rivers Greenway District.

The great loves of Mike's life were his wonderful family and friends; distance running (50 mile Masters National Champion and founding member of the 6:20 Club), and cycling (three-time Masters National Road Race Champion and Regional Director for the United States Cycling Federation).

He will be remembered for his dauntless advocacy on behalf of all cyclists and pedestrians, his enduring love for Forest Park and the City of Saint Louis (the 17th and 28th Wards in particular!), and his heartfelt affection for the Island of Puerto Rico and its people. All Mike's many interests were infused with his seemingly boundless, optimistic energy.

Mike's nephew posted photos from his bicycle racing career here.

There will be a Celebration of Mike's Life Sunday, February 28th, in the Trolley Room at the Dennis and Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 5595 Grand Drive in Forest Park.

Monday, February 29th - Visitation prior to the funeral service will be from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, February 29th, 2016 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis at the corner of Lindell Blvd. and North Newstead Ave.

Interment at Resurrection Cemetery will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to Forest Park Forever: 5595 Grand Drive in Forest Park St. Louis MO 63112 or online at: https://www.forestparkforever.org/donate

Our condolences to Mike's family and many friends, with thanks for a life well spent advocating for the causes that we support.