John W. Murgatroyd

He was born April 26, 1945, in Harrisburg PA, the son of the late John and Helen Murgatroyd. On July 8, 1978, he married his wife, Linda Burnside, who survives him.

John was a graduate of Cardinal Mindzenty High School and SUNY Fredonia in 1968, where he earned a chemistry and biology degree. John taught both biology and chemistry at Brocton Central School for 32 years. Besides teaching, John was involved in various activities at Brocton. He coached football, tennis and girls basketball. John’s 1989 girls basketball team finally won a Section VI Championship. The 1993 team defeated the defending NYS champion, Pine Valley Central, at SUNY Fredonia, advancing Brocton to the NYS Final Four. John was also a volleyball official. He was the advisor to Brocton’s Its Academic team, hosted by Van Miller on Ch. 4. While teaching at Brocton, during the summer months he coached girls basketball at the Salvation Army and ran girls basketball ball camps at Brocton Central Schools. In his early coaching years, John went to Niagara University summer basketball camps. He was the Master of Ceremonies for many retirement parties and alumni banquets. Upon retirement from Brocton Central Schools, he helped coach girls basketball at Fredonia High School and worked at Carriage House for a period of time.

He was big supporter of the Salvation Army Bell Ringer program during the Christmas Holliday season, recruiting many of his friends to ring. He liked to travel, cook, and garden. John was well known for his garlic. He was a supporter of the local food pantry and food kitchen and volunteered at the former Chautauqua County Nursing Home. For a number of years John gave a Chemistry Award to a deserving student at Brocton Central School.

John was a people person and loved to meet and talk to people wherever he went. Proud of his Irish heritage, John celebrated St. Patrick’s Day by visiting Savanah, GA. and attending the St. Paddy’s Day Parade.

John is survived by: his wife, Linda (Burnside) Murgatroyd; sisters-in-law: Brenda Merrill, Debra (Thomas) Moore; brother-in-law, Douglas (Lisa) Burnside. On John’s side he is survived by: a niece, great-niece, a great- great nephew and cousins.

Besides his parents, John is preceded in death by: a half-brother, a nephew, an aunt and uncle, and cousins.

Future plans for a Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. Donations may be made to: Brocton/Portland Food Pantry, 7081 East Main Rd. Westfield NY 14787 or Salvation Army Dunkirk New York, 704 Central Ave. Dunkirk, NY 14048.

On-line condolences may be made at larsontimkofuneralhome. Arrangements by David J. Dengler,

LARSON-TIMKO FUNERAL HOME.