Enthusiasm and a Big Heart Defined the Ministry of Brian Murdoch

Bill Eville Tuesday, October 18 2016 - 4:45pm

Parishioners at Grace Episcopal Church are mourning the loss of their pastor, the Rev. Brian Murdoch, who died unexpectedly Sunday morning.

Parishioners at Grace Episcopal Church in Vineyard Haven are mourning the loss of their pastor, the Rev. Brian Murdoch, who died unexpectedly Sunday morning, Oct. 16, at home. He was 62 and had led the church for two years.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 4 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church, located at the corner of William street and Woodlawn avenue in Vineyard Haven. There will also be a service in Boston at The Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 138 Tremont street, on Saturday, Oct. 22 at 4 p.m.

“He was what they call a priest in charge,” said Pat Waring, an active participant in the church who spoke to the Gazette Tuesday. The designation meant that the church and Reverend Murdoch were still engaged in the process of deciding whether it would be a good match. By all accounts it was.

“He was so very well loved,” Ms. Waring said. “He had a heart of gold and was the most appreciative person you could imagine. If you were in trouble or in need or in sadness, he was always right there at the door or by the bedside.”

Ms. Waring said that Reverend Murdoch had been in good health, but that he had ongoing diabetes issues.

He was born just outside of Boston, one of seven children in an Irish working class family. He played football, graduated from Boston College and later attended Boston Theological Institute, Union Seminary and General Theological Seminary, from which he graduated.

On the Grace Church website Reverend Murdoch is quoted as saying: “Being Irish, I found that being a good priest was a lot like being a good bartender. You have to care and read people quickly, one after another.”

For many years Reverend Murdoch worked with the homeless population in Boston, holding an open church service in the Boston Common. Linsey Lee, the curator of oral history at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, had been a friend since the 1980s, when she also lived in Boston and worked with the homeless.

“He had such a full heart,” Ms. Lee said. “And the love he gave out to people was boundless.”

She said Reverend Murdoch’s specialty, in addition to his energy and enthusiasm, was that he could relate to everyone. “From homeless to the rich, he just had across-the-board understanding,” she said.

On the Vineyard, he was a familiar figure both in and out of the church. On Ash Wednesday he would set up a station at the Vineyard Haven Steamship Authority terminal to administer ashes to those coming off the boat. Recently, he performed a blessing of the backpacks ceremony for all the students going back to school. And this past summer he created an internship program at Norton Farm, where six interns explored their faith in action while tilling the soil. Reverend Murdoch would lead them all each day in an early morning devotion before the farm work began. For a city boy, farming and working the soil was not a stretch.

“To be on this very beautiful Island, detached from America, where one can be a monk in the winter and a surfer in the summer is grand. It suits my Celtic soul,” he said on the church website.

Ms. Waring agreed that the Island seemed especially suited for him.

“He was a wild man who was wholeheartedly appreciative of everything in life, but especially people,” Ms. Waring said. “And he loved it here, the Island and the Island community. He will be horribly missed.”

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Father Brian’s memory to the Father Brian Memorial Fund. Checks may be made out to Grace Episcopal Church, with the notation “Father Brian Memorial Fund,” and sent to Grace Episcopal Church, PO Box 1197, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.

Comments

Brian was a great team mate

Dennis McCleary No. Andover, MA

Brian was a great team mate and solid friend. He just attended the Boston College Football Team reunion a few weeks ago for the team who beat Texas back in the 70's. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

I knew Brian Murdoch as my

Dana Poirier Downingtown, Pa

I knew Brian Murdoch as my college roommates big brother. He was a man who could light up a room as he walked into it and was one of the best listener's I knew. This is a lost art.
Such a time as this, when we need more Brian Murdoch's in this world. This is a tough pill to swallow, wondering what the plan could be? Maybe it is that we are all to try to be more like him with our time here on earth? He has broken many a hearts!

This is such a loss for Grace

Ann King Saratoga, CA

This is such a loss for Grace and for the entire island community. Brian had such a capacity for acceptance and caring...he was so well suited to his role at Grace and was just getting started there. God's peace, Brian.

I was stunned and shocked to

Dan Conway San Diego

I was stunned and shocked to hear of Murd's passing. I was with him 3 weeks ago at the BC 40th reunion of beating Texas. He was so full of life and so happy to see everyone, it's a blessing he attended the reunion and had a chance to catch up with his old teammates. God bless you, Murd!

I was fortunate to be able to

Leo Connors Middleton, Ma

I was fortunate to be able to call Brian my cousin. He lit up a room with his smile and those eyes that twinkled with life. I was 10 years younger than Brian and when he went to BC to play football I was in awe of my big cousin. He was probably about 6'4" and I'd guess around 260 lbs then, a mountain of a man. I thought he was a king! He was kind and caring, listened to what you said and made you feel good about yourself. People like Brian don't come along very often. Here's to a life well lived!

When my troubled son passed

Doris Webb Watertown,MA

When my troubled son passed away suddenly a few years ago, Brian led a gentle,thoughtful memorial service for him. I shall never forget Brian's quiet understanding and love.

Brian was one of the most

Harold Sparrow YMCA. Greater Hartford

Brian was one of the most purpose filled honorable men I have had the opportunity to meet.
Early in my career he was a member of the Roxbury Y and would swim a mile on his lunch break from his educational programs at The Suffolk County House of correction.
You could the light of God beaming from his entire state of being Brian.
I am deeply saddened by his passing but etranal grateful that I was fortunate enough to know him in this space and time . Rest well good brother you truly were a good and faithful servant.

I meet Brian back in the

Anna Ciampo McSweeney Malden,MA

I meet Brian back in the Ruggles days. Always energetic and compassionate in his ministry for the Lord. Everyone loved Brian. He will be greatly missed by many. Rest in peace.

I absolutely adored Fr. Brian

Dianne Belamarich Milford, MA

I absolutely adored Fr. Brian... I would not have survived my brother's death without him.

I knew Brian through our

Dan Booth Cohen Aquinnah & Foxboro

I knew Brian through our support work on behalf of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated men and women in Boston. He was a kind and generous friend to many in the community. I was looking forward to reconnecting with him on the Vineyard. I cherish my memories of him and mourn his passing.

Brian and I were students at

Rev. Dr. Rick Cross, Priest in Charge St. Patrick's Episcopal Church, Brewer Maine

Brian and I were students at General Seminary together. Later we served together in Massachusetts while he was at the jail and I was at Messiah, Woods Hole. He led a Vestry Retreat for Messiah at St. Margaret's Convent in Roxbury which I will never forget. The theme he chose was "Coming Home." He had all of us draw pictures of a "Coming Home" moment in our lives. I drew a sketch of watching my wife Amy and two daughters Carrie and Katherine dancing in a studio at Bennington College where Carrie was a student. It was a dramatic moment when the Spirit broke through to tell me, "This is the greatest gift of Love from God you will ever need or have: your family dancing in the light! I shared the experience last Tuesday with my Stable Gathering of Men, talking about Brian, not yet knowing that he had died. Perhaps it was his spirit communicating with me. Perhaps it was Brian himself joining the dance. I am thankful for his tender, gentle presence in my life. May he dance in peace!

Father Brian married my

Chelsea Watertown

Father Brian married my husband and me four years ago in Brookline. he guided us through the immense transition and prepared us to be married - he treated us with such respect and care. He calmed my nerves with humor and wisdom. Funny story - there was a mix up and he was accidentally an hour late for the ceremony - all ended up just fine but even then, he had the whole church laughing with a joke- "they say if it rains on your wedding day, and the minister is an hour late... well, I don't know the rest, but cheers!" He read Mary Oliver and married me to the love of my life. He looked at me with admiration and respect in a way that id never seen/felt before. He was truly a blessing to us both. Oh - and a light piece of advice he gave me for our marriage: sit next to your husband on the couch for a few Red Sox games. Just sit with him there and enjoy. He needs you there sometimes. Simple but so good.

I'll never forget him.

Brian taught me to listen,

Therese Perreault Tucson, Arizona

Brian taught me to listen, love and dream.