Murray William Ryder
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Weirs Beach----Murray William Ryder, 95, of Weirs Beach, NH, died peacefully at his home with his family at 1050 Valley St., Manchester, NH on Friday June 6, 2008.

Murray Ryder aka “Papa” was born in Port Wade, Nova Scotia Canada on November 25, 1912, the fifth child of Captain William E. and Dora (Gidney) Ryder.  His father, a commander in the Canadian Navy, was a blockade-runner in World War I.  Following the war the Ryder’s moved to Boston, Ma.

Murray’s love of all things nautical result from his seafaring roots.  Murray was a master ship fitter by trade who took great pride in his craft especially as it had to do with his work on the MV Mount Washington that travels the waters of Lake Winnipesauke each year.

As a ship fitter in 1940, at General Ship and Engine Works in East Boston, he helped to cut the hull of the steamer Chateagay into twenty 10 foot sections for transport by flatcar to Lakeport, New Hampshire.  He then helped to reassemble it as the SS Mount Washington II.  Forty-two years later he was in charge of cutting the Mount in two to add 24 feet to its length.

Throughout his long and illustrious career, several things have remained constant:  his talent for his craft, his storytelling and his prankster ability to “stir things up” at work or wherever he was.

Murray served in the U.S. Navy in World War II.  After the war he worked on commercial ships which took him too many exotic parts of the world.  In Palermo, Sicily he met his late wife, Lydia Rosaria Zarbo.  They married on January 7, 1948 in Genova, Italy, and had their daughter, Anita Ryder Fresta.  When they returned as a family to America they took up residence in Weirs Beach, NH for over 55 years.

His working associations with familiar Winnipesaukee maritime greats such as Hedblom and Lavallee were treasured by him.  Murray was the pilot of the Mount Washington II along with Brian Avery and Bob Murphy.  He was also Captain of the Sophie C. for several years.  He retired at age 70 from the Winnipesaukee Flagship Co.  At his home on the waterfront in Weirs Beach, Murray enjoyed building boats for his family.  He also created models of ships including a perfect replica of The Bluenose, a famous Nova Scotia racing schooner.  He enjoyed working with wood in carpentry and woodcarving.

Murray recently moved to Manchester, NH to live with and be cared for by his granddaughter Gina Marie Fresta, her fiancé Kevin M. Isabelle Jr., and their seven month old son Dominik Ryder Isabelle.  He is also survived by his grandson Salvatore Fresta Jr., and his wife Katie Laura Fresta of Belmont, NH and his daughter Anita Ryder Fresta of Weirs Beach, NH.  Also, a special “thanks” to Joyce Walsh of Laconia, NH for all her help, commitment and special friendship they shared together   over the years. 

Murray was predeceased by his son-in law Salvatore Fresta, Sr. on December 17, 1995.  Siblings Stella, Gordon, Eileen, Margaret, and Lloyd all have predeceased him.  Living nieces and nephews include:  Joseph Ryder and his wife Robin, their two children Aaron and Jason Ryder all of Sandown, NH.  Rebecca Newberry of Grants Pass OR, Virginia Rasmussen of Cranston RI, Susan Miller of Georgetown MA and Lloyd Ryder of Sandown NH, and more than a dozen grandnieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held at the Wilkinson-Beane Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH using the Carriage House entrance on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 from 5-8PM.

Funeral services will be held at Our Lady of the Lakes Church, 50 Washington St., Lakeport, NH on Wednesday June 11, 2008 at 11AM.

Burial will follow in Bayside Cemetery, Laconia, NH.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Our Lady of the Lakes Church, 50 Washington St., Lakeport, NH 03246 or the Visiting Nurse Association of Manchester, 33 South Commercial Suite #401, Manchester, NH 03101.

Wilkinson-Beane Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH is in charge of the arrangements.