Kevin Matthew Murray

With broken hearts but beautiful memories we announce the passing of our beloved son Kevin Matthew Murray. He was 32. Kevin was born on 10/14/1992 at Vassar Brothers Hospital in Poughkeepsie NY. He lived in New York most of his life but he also lived in Illinois and Florida.

Kevin made everybody laugh. He had a great sense of humor. He was very compassionate, especially with seniors. He loved all living things including birds, animals, reptiles and even insects. Although his passing was tragic, remember in your heart his beautiful smile and passion for helping others.

Throughout High School, College and after, Kevin donated food to the Stanford Grange Food Pantry. For years he volunteered at the Rhinebeck NY Senior Center helping with activities. On Thursdays Kevin helped seniors with their grocery shopping. He also volunteered for various American Heart Society's walks/runs and participated in various Stanford Grange events.

Kevin is survived by his parents Mike and Linda Murray from Clinton Corners NY and Port Saint Lucie FL, Grandmother Patricia Murray and Great Aunt Carol Ianaro both from North Hutchinson Island FL, Uncle Steve Murray and cousins Steven and Nicholas Murray from Beaufort, NC.

Kevin was smart too. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations from SUNY New Paltz, NY. Kevin graduated from Pine Plains High School with a Regents degree and a Culinary Arts degree. He recently completed one semester at the Culinary Institute of America which gave him the confidence to cook at a high end restaurant in Florida which he loved.

In high school Kevin played on the offensive line in football and was a wing in hockey. He loved music. He learned to play the drums and became a talented bass guitar player. Kevin also loved to fish. He loved to watch the manatee's swim and enjoyed going to the Manatee museum in Fort Pierce FL.

Kevin was working two jobs and many hours. We wondered how he kept up with the pace. Caffeine. According to friends, he also drank a lot of caffeine in college. His personality started changing. We tried to get him help but the medical staff was on the wrong path. After his death, the medical examiners report said NO drugs, NO alcohol. The only thing in his body was caffeine. It was then we learned that caffeine can affect your central nervous system and your brain. It can cause agitation, anxiety, panic attacks, hallucinations, dehydration and paranoia. Caffeine is a powerful stimulant.

We found a poem / lyrics in his room that we had copyrighted. The ending lines are "The beads of sweat are coming back on your face, you can see your hands start to shake. Scared, confused, your rattled." Kevin chose to end what was happening in his life on that fateful day.

Please share this story with everyone you know so excessive caffeine consumption doesn't hurt anyone else. We don't want anyone else to suffer the pain that we have from losing our son. We miss and love you Kevin. We still feel your spirit everyday.

Kevin has gone home to be with loving family members and friends that have gone before him. He is not alone.

Kevin would not want us to feel sad or bad. Instead he would want us to use that energy to help others.

When this happened we were in shock, confused and overcome with sadness. Thanks to my best friend Cathy Benham and her husband Bruce for keeping us grounded. Thanks for the support of Kevin's best friend Travis Benham and his sister Hannah Benham-Linnane and Kevin's friend Alex Bandy for giving us the strength to have this Celebration of Life. Thanks to educator and Grange Secretary for NY state Ryan Orton for helping with the arrangements.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Wednesday October 15, 2025
Calling hours 6 PM to 7 PM
Service 7 PM
First United Presbyterian Church
3039 NY Route 199
Pine Plains NY 12567

In Lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Kevin Murray's Go Fund me page

Google Kevin Murray go fund me
Celebration of Life

The dollars raised will go to Pine Plains High School Scholarships, Manitee rescue and Museum and the Stanford Grange

If you are coming to the service and would like to donate food, we will be collecting non perishable food products for the Stanford Grange Food Pantry.

Thanks everyone for your love and support.