Reverend Dr. Malcolm Murchison, 66, of Vero Beach, passed away on Dec. 19, 2014.
Murchison was born in Glen Cove, N.Y. on Sept. 29, 1948. He was a humble man of deep faith who was loved by many and will be missed greatly.
As a young man, Murchison was an accomplished athlete excelling at football, track and swimming. He attended Colgate University where he majored in Philosophy/Religion. Shortly after college, he married Linda White and moved to New Hampshire where he started a construction company and managed the Christian Herald Long House Conference Center, before being called to pursue a life in the ministry.
Murchison earned an MATS degree from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, an MDiv from Virginia Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from The School of Theology at Sewanee, The University of the South, where he later served as a trustee.
His first appointment was to St. John’s Episcopal Church in Barrington, R.I. where he served as Curate, before moving to Florida to accept the position of associate rector at Trinity Church in Vero Beach.
After five years at Trinity, he accepted the position of Chaplin at Saint Edward’s School where he taught, coached and ministered to the students, families and faculty of the school community. After ten years as a Chaplin, Murchison was called to serve as Rector of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Orlando until his retirement in October of this year.
Beyond his deep abiding love of the Lord and his family, his greatest love was salt water in all of its forms. Whether sailing on Long Island Sound, chasing snook across the Moorings’ flats or surfing the break, Murchison was happiest in his element and at peace among the waves.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in memory of Malcolm to restore and preserve the Indian River Lagoon through the Indian River Land Trust, 80 Royal Palm Pointe, #301, Vero Beach, FL 32960 or online at IRLT.org The funeral service will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, Vero Beach at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 27. A memorial service will be held on Jan. 3, 2015, at 11 a.m. at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Orlando.
