WEYMOUTH – A 12-year-old boy from Weymouth lost his life in a ski accident on New Year’s Eve in New Hampshire.
Jack Murray, a seventh-grader at Maria Chapman Middle School, was skiing at Cranmore Mountain in Jackson during the school break when the accident occurred.
“Jack is the most magical little boy and was on his way to becoming a truly exceptional man,” his obituary reads. “Born on May 23, 2012, he is the adored son of Paul and Crystal and the loving and best ‘big bro bro’ to Finley Murray of Weymouth.”
A GoFundMe campaign has been established in Jack’s memory, to support the Maria Chapman Middle School Band, where he played drums and the trombone. As of Jan. 3, 2024, the campaign has raised $17,302, with a goal of raising $28,000.
“In memory of Jack Murray, please consider donating to the Maria Chapman Middle School Band in lieu of flowers or gifts to the family. Jack loved the arts and playing drums in the school band,” Paul Murray shared on the GoFundMe page. “Helping other aspiring musicians like Jack get access to enrich their lives through the arts is a wonderful way to honor Jack’s memory.”
Jack was a prodigious, young Renaissance man, excelling not only in music but also as an entrepreneur.
“Despite his short life he did more in twelve years than most do in a lifetime. He was an artist and musician who loved to draw, paint, build, invent, play trombone and drums in the Chapman Middle School Band with his friend Yuta Hardi,” his obituary read. “He was an entrepreneur who started an eBay store to sell thrift store finds. He sold cookies to local restaurants and sold and drew caricatures for the neighborhood with his friend Sam Young. He even created a clothing brand, shirt designs and built an online store all by himself (until he needed a credit card to accept payments).”
Jack’s love for life extended beyond the arts and business. He played soccer, served as an assistant coach for his brother Finn’s team, and was a referee in Weymouth Youth Soccer. He was also a wrestler on the Chapman wrestling team, enjoyed basketball, paddle boarding with his mother, swimming, boating with his father, and watching movies with friends.
Grief counselors were made available at Maria Chapman Middle School on January 2nd and 3rd.
“The brightest shining lights in life never shine long enough, and Jack was that bright light for so many,” his obituary said.
Visitation hours for relatives and friends will be held on Sunday, January 5, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at McDonald Keohane Funeral Home, 40 Sea Street in Weymouth.
