Richard J. Murphy

BAILEY ISLAND — Richard (Pat) Murphy of 2027 Harpswell Islands Road, Bailey Island (formally of 11 Tourmaline Lane, Auburn) passed away quietly at his home Wednesday, Aug. 8. Richard was born Sept. 22, 1921, in Lewiston.

Richard graduated from Edward Little High School in 1939, and joined the U.S. Marines during World War II, serving in Hawaii and Japan. He owned two gas stations in Lewiston for many years, before starting his business, Maine Auto Test, which he and his wife, Muriel, ran until 1992, when he retired. Pat had two passions: fishing and skiing. He was a National Ski Patrolman at Sugarloaf and Lost Valley for more than 50 years. He was initiated into the Maine Ski Hall of Fame in 2005. At one time, he was the oldest active ski patrolman in the United States. He and Muriel also served as team members at the Maine Handicapped Ski Program at Sunday River. In his early years, he was a Maine guide and enjoyed fishing in just about every lake in Maine, but was especially fond of Moosehead and the Belgrade Lakes. In the last decade of his life, he spent many happy hours fishing off the shores of Bailey Island on his beloved boat, the Lively Lady.

He is survived by two daughters: Pam White and Sandy Nadeau; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.