Gifford Murry Quiggle, 79, of Warren, PA, recently of Wexford, PA, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, March 13, 2023. Murry was born on April 29, 1943 in Warren, PA to the late Gifford and Maude Murry Quiggle. Murry grew up in Kinzua enjoying the many advantages of living in a beautiful small village. He attended Kinzua Elementary, Beaty Junior High School and graduated from Warren Area High School in 1961. He and his family moved to Warren in 1962 due to the building of the Kinzua Dam. Murry attended Bryant and Stratton Business School in Buffalo, NY and later graduated from Edinboro College in 1967 with a degree in Elementary Education. He also attended The University of Pittsburgh graduating with a Masters Degree in Education specializing in remedial reading.
He married the beautiful Sharon Mae Gates on August 17, 1968 at the Pleasureville United Methodist Church in Pleasureville, PA. Sharon was deeply loved and sadly missed by Murry and his three children after she passed away suddenly on April 26, 1989 from an automobile accident. She will be forever loved by her family and friends.
Murry began his teaching career at Market Street Elementary School in Warren and spent several years traveling around the county as a Chapter and Title 1 reading teacher. He loved teaching and the enjoyment he got from being around his students.
He always looked forward to the time spent with his family at the beach during the summer and the swim meets with his children throughout the year. They spent many great summers boating on the Kinzua Dam. After retiring from teaching in 1998 he enjoyed traveling and being with the loves of his life: his kids and grandkids and family. He filled many, many albums with pictures of family, travels, and cruises. He worked, usually part time, for 59 years starting in 1962 in various positions and working his way up to Director of Billing at the Virg-Ann Flower Shop. He called it his “lifetime job” and loved having it!
Murry is survived by his 3 children, Aaron of McKinney, TX, Ryan and his wife Maddie of Philadelphia, PA, and Erica and her husband Mark of Wexford, PA; 3 grandchildren Amelia Quiggle, Mackenzie Quiggle, and Oliver McLure and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Sharon Quiggle, his mother and father Gifford Oliver and Maude Murry Quiggle, his sisters Helen Kroemer, Janet Ely and husband Joe (Gene) Ely, and Rose Barney, and Nephew Edward Barney.
Friends may call on Sunday March 19, 2023, from 1:00 to 2:00 pm in Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church, 444 Pennsylvania Ave W. Warren, PA. Funeral services will be held there at 2:00 PM, with the Rev. Matthew Scott, pastor, officiating. Burial will be private and held at the convenience of the family. The Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home Inc., 304 East St. Warren, PA, has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.
The family has requested memorial donations be made to the ALS Foundation, 1275 K Street NW, Suite 250, Washington, DC 20005 in memory of “Edward Barney” or Shriners Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 or St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or Trinity Memorial Church, 444 Penn Avenue West, Warren, PA 16365. E-mail condolences may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com.
Murry was an amazing man and a friend for many many years. I met him through his lovely wife, Sharon, both of them made an amazing couple. I was privileged to also meet their three children, who have become amazing adults having their own children. I am confident that Murry was greeted in Heaven by Sharon, who said, “I have been waiting.“
It is with a great deal of regret we learned of Murry’s passing. Murry was such a nice person and you could not ask for a better friend or neighbor. He always looked out for others , and helped the elderly . He was just a nice person to chat with. May he rest in peace, and with the love of his life and family as well
So sorry to hear of Murray passing he was a great neighbor will be missed !
May God bless him and his family
Sincerely Helen Keefe
So very sad to hear of Murray’s passing I worked with him at Jefferson and what a kind caring person he was so proud of his children and grandchildren Wonderful man gone way too soon.
Mr. Quiggle was my third grade teacher, and I have always remembered him fondly. In particular, I remember working hard to get my Pac-Man around the room first by learning my times tables. I was in Mr. Quiggle‘s class, when my father passed away, and I remember during that time many adults saying or doing things meant to comfort me, but that really upset me. But I remember Mr. Quiggle during that time seemed to do everything right for me as an eight year old girl experiencing a devastating loss. I offer my most heartfelt condolences to his family.
My fondest memory of Mr. Quiggle is listening to him laugh…it was infectious. I hope you and Mrs. Quiggle are lounging in the living room laughing and having fun once again.
What a wonderful man. He lived an exemplary life. I remember his laugh and his beautiful singing voice. Rest in Peace, old friend.
My sincerest condolences go out to Murry’s family at this very sad time. I have known Murry for 20 years as we used to get together with our other friends to play cards and celebrate birthdays while talking over the old times. Murry was truly a genuine person. A gentle giant with a wonderful sense of humor and a terrific laugh. He will be deeply missed but it is comforting to know that he is with the Lord and reunited with his lovely wife Sharon. May the family find comfort in knowing what a special person their Dad was. Many blessings.
We are sorry about the passing of Murry. He was a wonderful teacher. We are sending our prayers to his family.
Jack and Diane Martin
I lived in Kinzua, next to the Quiggle family till I was 4 years old. He was my first BFF. We kept in contact for the next 75 years. He was a truly wonderful man. We exchanged birthday cards or e-mails, since I am in Oregon. I am so sad that he is gone, but, hope his wife Sharon was waiting for him, cause, he waited for her.