ROCKLAND — Frederick L. Murphy, 73, died Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, at Pen Bay Medical Center, following an extended illness.

Born in Houlton July 21, 1939, he was the son of Charles L. and Jennie Dunphy Murphy. Educated in local schools, he was a 1958 graduate of Houlton High School.

He married Joanne G. Gray on March 28, 1959, in Houlton, where they made their first home.

Fred was first employed with the Maine Highway Department in the bridge maintenance division. He worked summers painting bridges and winters on bridge maintenance. After witnessing a tragic work related accident and seeking a career change that would enable him to spend more time with his growing family, Fred attended welding school in Canada. Upon completing that school, he moved to Rockland where he was employed with Fisher Engineering.

In December of 1967, he moved his family to Rockland, where they have since resided. For more than 18 years he worked with Fisher, ultimately advancing to a lead man/night foreman. Since 1984, Fred worked for Atwood Lobster Company, Electro Tech and periodically returned to work at Fisher Engineering.

A longtime sports fan, he followed all sports and in earlier years devoted many hours as a Little League coach. He also enjoyed league bowling, men's league basketball and playing in many state Elks softball tournaments.

Fred often made the drive to Houlton to visit family. He loved all animals and over the years had many dogs and cats as pets.

For more than 40 years he was a member of Rockland Elks Lodge #1008, serving as a past exalted ruler and trustee of that lodge and also as a district deputy for the coastal region. He was a longtime communicant of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Rockland.

In addition to his beloved wife of 53 years, Joanne of Rockland, Fred is survived by his mother of Houlton; three sons, Carlton F. Murphy, Thomas M. Murphy and his wife, Jessica, all of Rockland, and John G. Murphy and his wife, Gayle, of Owls Head; five grandchildren, Krista Blais and her husband, Chris, of Warren, Mackenzie Murphy of Orono, Anderson Murphy of Boston, Carson Murphy of Owls Head, and Isaiah Murphy of Rockland; one great-grandchild, Tristen; a brother, retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. Charles L. Murphy and his wife, Roberta, of Jacksonville Beach, Fla.; as well as one niece and two nephews.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Oct. 6 at 11 a.m. at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 11 White St. in Rockland. A reception will follow at Rockland Elks Lodge, 210 Rankin St. in Rockland.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bob Gagnon Cancer Care Fund, C/O PenBay Healthcare, 22 White St., Rockland, ME 04841, or to Rockland Little League, P.O. Box 1424, Rockland, ME 04841.

To share a memory or story with Fred's family, visit his online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home in Rockland.