In Memoriam
This one is a real punch in the gut. It is my sad duty to report the passing of a wonderful friend and one of our industry’s most diligent and beloved heroes, Ed Murray, Murray & Zuckerman, Inc., Schenectady, NY.
After graduating with a degree in finance, Ed served as a combat veteran in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment known as “The Blackhorse” as an Artillery Forward Observer in Vietnam. An Artillery FO patrolled with infantry units and called in grid coordinates and artillery fire when under attack. An Artillery FO had to be extremely accurate in determining their own location and the location of the enemy or else terrible things could happen.
Ed and dear friends Gary Glassford and Art Jetter, who also served in Air Cavalry units, would frequently share stories of their time in the military. On one of these occasions Art unfortunately mentioned his Cobra helicopter gunship’s Environmental Control Unit. Ed stopped him and asked incredulously, “Environmental Control Unit? Jetter, are you telling me that you had an air conditioner in that helicopter while I was on the ground crawling around rice paddies in 110-degree temperatures and 110 percent humidity?” Ever witty, Ed continued, “Jetter, if I had known you had an air conditioner in that helicopter, I would have shot your ass down.”
The start of Ed’s insurance career came after a brief stint in real estate, when he began working at Chubb Insurance. It didn’t take long to realize carrier life may not be a good fit, so his inner entrepreneur kicked in and he set out on his own, then ultimately teamed with Gordon Zuckerman to form Murray & Zuckerman, Inc., and set up shop in Schenectady. Their vision was to have a general agency that serviced all four corners…of New York State.
Ed had been deeply involved in the National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies (NAILBA), serving as its chair and receiving the association’s highest honor, the Douglas Mooers Award for Excellence, in 2005. Another former chair, and Mooers Award recipient, Art remembers, “Ed likes to give credit to others for NAILBA recovering from the financial issues in the late 90s, early 2000s. He doesn’t take any personal credit. However, when I was chair in 2000 and gave my swan song speech, I specifically recognized his incredible service as treasurer. I called him our ‘financial boy wonder.’ Without Ed understanding that the board had to stick to its guns on fiscal recovery, and rubbing our noses in it, there might not have been a recovery.”
Ed was also fundamental in the forming of one of our industry’s premier marketing organizations, The Marketing Alliance (TMA). He was the recipient of the group’s Billy Vogel Award, given annually to an individual working in the brokerage industry who possesses impressive business acumen, a sense of innovation and, above all, integrity. In recognizing Ed as the recipient, TMA President Tim Klusas said, “This year’s recipient is recognized for their business acumen, practical application, and ability to simplify complex issues. While I can’t possibly list all of Ed’s contributions, it was his resourcefulness, vision, innovative thinking, and above all integrity that got TMA off the ground in 1996.”
On Ed’s passing Tim related, “Many people remember Ed for his quick wit and sense of humor because he made them laugh. Most people wouldn’t know how truly generous Ed was with not just his possessions but his time. Many people have shared stories of the time he spent with them, what he said, or how he inspired them when they needed confidence. Some will say they just lost their biggest fan. I think that’s how he impacted people.”
I met Ed longer ago than I can remember, probably at a Sub Centers or NAILBA meeting, before he helped lay the groundwork for TMA. I found him to be welcoming, friendly, intensely loyal and a great fountain of knowledge about the brokerage business. Like many of us, Ed found it hard to deal with ignorance. At least in my case in the early years, the difference between Ed and many others was his unfailing willingness to work to chip away at my lack of knowledge and increase my understanding and appreciation of just how vital and honorable the brokerage business is.
Ever the gruff humorist, I remember his first exclamation while accepting the Billy Vogel Award: “If I’d known I was going to receive this recognition I would have worn socks.” The brokerage industry is extremely fortunate to have had Ed Murray as a champion, as am I to have had him as a friend.[SPH]
