Frank J. Murgo
Date of Passing:
Murgo, Frank J., 95, formerly of Houghton Street, Barrington, died peacefully on January 5, 2019 surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of the late Shirley A. (Crawford) Murgo.
Born in Bristol, a son of the late Matteo and Mary (Cavallaro) Murgo, he lived in Barrington for 54 years.
Mr. Murgo was a Physical Education teacher at Barrington High School for 31 years were he also was the Football Coach and Athletic trainer before retiring in 1986. Frank was Rhode Island’s first Certified Athletic Trainer.
Frank was a graduate of Colt Memorial High School Class of 1942 and Springfield College Class of 1951. He was a United States Coast Guard Veteran serving during WWII.
Mr. Murgo was a communicant of St. Luke Church. He was a member of the Barrington Booster’s Club. He was elected to numerous Hall of Fame including, Barrington High School Athletic Hall of Fame, Bristol High School Athletic Hall of Fame, The R. I. Interscholastic League Hall of Fame, The R.I Football Coaches Hall of Fame and the Providence Grid Iron Club Hall of Fame. In 1999 Barrington High School established the Frank Murgo Physical Education Award. Most recently, the Barrington High School Gymnasium was named in his honor.
Frank had many joys after his retirement. He loved traveling to Canada and Florida to visit friends and families. He enjoyed shell fishing, mushrooming, golfing, and supporting all student activities at Barrington High, Mt. Hope and St. Andrews.
Frank always had a smile on his face and was quick to share his words of wisdom. But his greatest joys in life were his children, grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
The Murgo family feels truly blessed and very thankful for the many people who remember and loved him. He had a life well lived. A special note of appreciation to The Rhode Island Veterans Home, that will always have a special place in our hearts.
He is survived by his children, Caron Martin and her husband Wayne of Barrington, Matthew F. Murgo of Middletown, Bruce A. Murgo and his wife Mary Ann of Warren and Lori A. Olson of Portsmouth; six grandchildren, Christopher Martin, Matthew Murgo, Julia Murgo, Michaela Olson, James Olson and Nicholas Murgo; two great-grandchildren, Hazel Martin and Aria Lennon Rudis and a brother, Lou Murgo of San Bruno, Ca. He was the brother of the late Carol Nenna and Antoinette Murgo.
His funeral will be held on Friday January 11, 2019 from the W. RAYMOND WATSON FUNERAL HOME, 350 Willett Avenue, Riverside at 8:45 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Luke Church, Washington Road, Barrington at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Forest Chapel Cemetery, Nayatt Road, Barrington. Calling hours are Thursday 4-7 p.m. Flowers are respectfully omitted. Contributions in Frank’s memory to the Barrington Booster’s Club, P.O. Box 232, Barrington R.I 02806 or The Rhode Island Veterans Home, 480 Metacom Avenue, Bristol, R.I 02809 would be deeply appreciated.
Our deepest condolences to the Murgo family. We will always treasure our Fourth of July memories with Frank and the Murgo family.
Dear Caron,
We were sorry to hear the sad news about your dad. I remember him well from my high school days, he had the respect of the young men in my class. It looks like he led a full and exciting life! We are thinking of you. Love, Patsy and Tuffy
A remarkable life well lived. May he rest in peace. Caron, Matt, Bruce and Lori…..so many are grateful that you shared your Dad with so many of us.
The Man, the Coach, the Legend…Frank Murgo.
Caron, Matt. Bruce and Lori,
May your Dad rest in peace. Clearly respected and cherished by so many. A kind man. A true gentleman.
Caron, Matt, Bruce and Lori,
Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with all of you and your families during this difficult time. I have many great memories of your dad from my childhood all the way to his visits at the eye doctors. Treasure your memories.
Matt,
I’m so sorry for the loss of your dad. I’m sure you have wonderful memories of him that will last forever. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Debbie Phillips
I was saddened to learn of Frank’s passing. As Frank would say,”I’ve had sufficient.” He was a great guy. I’m sorry I am unable to pay my respects but poor health prevents me. I’m sitting here with memories of our Springfield days – as roommates, class mates, and members of the football team. TThose were the “Good old days!” Ironically we both became coaches. Our symsympathy to the entire Murgo family.
My condolences to the Murgo family. Mr. Murgo was a great man, I have a lot of great memories, one of my favorite was his “sweet” squid that he would catch and cook. I still haven’t had any better tasting squid.
He touched so many lives, may he rest in peace
Dear Caron, Bruce, Matt and Lori,
We were very sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing, he was such a nice man and OH what a legacy he has left you.
Sending our deepest and heartfelt sympathy to all Murgo families.
I was saddened to learn of Frank’s passing. As Frank would say, I’vehad sufficient.” I am unable to pay my respects because of my health. I sit here with memories of the good times we shared at Springfield as roommates, in class, and as football players. They were the”good old days”. Ironically we both ended up being coaches. Our sympathy to the entire family.
Dear Caron, Bruce, Matt & Lori,
We were very sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing, he was such a nice man and OH what a legacy he has left you.
Sending our deepest and heartfelt sympathy to all the Murgo families.
Jack & Cathy Kane
Coach was truly a great man, and influence on the lives of many, many people. The values he taught in sports carried over to life’s challenges. His memory was amazing! I met him again about 5 years ago as my grandson was playing football for Mt. Hope High School. Coach’s son was one of the coaches. Coach remembered me like it was yesterday, and I graduated from BHS in ’66. May God Bless you, coach and welcome you to your eternal reward in Heaven.
To the entire Murgo Family’
We wish to express our sincere condolences for your family’s great loss.
My mother, Catherine “Kit” Alfano, sends her deepest sympathies. My late father, Louis P. Alfano, Jr., was a Colt High School classmate of your dad. He often bragged about his friend, Frankie’s, athletic prowess. They enjoyed your parents’ companionship and often my mom would comment on how your dad knew all the words to most of the country-western songs of the time. Certainly, all fond memories!
Sincerely, Colleen Ann (Alfano) Marshall and husband, Manny
Great man and Coach. Truly an inspiration. May God bless you in your next journey.
Bill and Deb Cauley and Family
Dear Caron, Bruce, Matt & Lori,
We were very sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing, he was such a nice man and oh what a legacy he has left for all of you.
Sending our sincere and heartfelt sympathy to all the Murgo families.
Jack and Cathy Kane
Coach Murgo was a leader for young men and for me that was in the 1960s. Thank you Coach Murgo for your quiet but clear inspiration.
To the entire Murgo Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of great loss in your family. My mother, Catherine “Kit” Alfano wishes to express her sympathies. She and my late father, Louis P. Alfano, Jr., truly loved being in your parents’ company. My dad graduated Colt High School and always bragged on your father’s athletic prowess. My mom fondly remembers that your dad had a great memory and knew all the words to so many country/western songs that she loved.
Sincerely, Manny and Colleen (Alfano) Marshall
Frank Murgo will forever have a place in my heart. He was a great coach and an even greater person. Condolences to the Murgo family.
My condolences to the entire Murgo family. Mr. Murgo was such a great influence on so many students and athletes in Barrington including myself. A legendary coach and teacher. So many great memories! He will be greatly missed.
Our sincere condolences to the family o f Coach Murgo from his first team (right out of Springfield College) at North Kingstown High School in 1952. We didn’t win any football games but everyone of us did gain a great deal of respect for the Coach that we all loved! He was a great Coach BUT he was an greater person.
We send our thoughts and condolences to the Murgo family. Coach was our friend and mentor and we are all the better for it. A truly good man.
So very sorry to read of Frank’s passing. I recently saw him may the Veteran’s home and shook his hand. He and my dad were very good friends. Condolences to all the family.
My deepest condolences to the entire Murgo family. Coach certainly was one in a million.
The world is poorer without Frank. A great coach, great family man, great friend and neighbor, and simply a great person. He will be missed by all!
Frank Murgo – a great man who will be missed by many.
Susan Espelin Osberg, Barrington HS, Class of 1961
A truly lovely kind man. He will be missed by all
To our dear friend Matt & Family,
After having read about his accomplishments, it’s easy to see what an extraordinary man Frank was. To have been so active and devoted and to have touched so many with his energy and interest – is truly remarkable. We send our sincere condolences.
Deepest condolences to the Murgo family on your loss. Wonderful man.
So very sorry for the loss of your wonderful father and grandfather. He was a true treasure to both family and community.