Mr. Murray, of Havertown, had marched with the comic brigade Wild Rovers New Year's Association for seven years.
He was a lawyer for 32 years, and at the time of his death was a real estate lawyer with the firm of Hepburn, Axelrod & White in Philadelphia. For 23 years before that he worked at Hepburn, Wilcox, Hamilton & Putnam.
"He will be missed so much," said Joan Schall Murray, his wife of 30 years. "He was the greatest guy."
Mr. Murray, described by his friends as a "Mummer for life" and by his wife as a dedicated "Two Streeter," suffered the heart attack at the end of his brigade's routine.
The Wild Rovers are a part of the Murray Comic Club, named after Mr. Murray's father, Joseph A. Murray, a beer distributor who initially sponsored the group.
"It was a real family affair. It was in his DNA. While his father was not a Mummer, other members of his family, his daughter, nephew, sisters, were all Mummers," his wife said.
His wife, at his side when he died, said Mr. Murray died peacefully.
The moment of his heart attack was captured on television. Many observers said later they thought his fall was part of the act.
"He had been dancing like there was no tomorrow," Rich Porco, president of the Murray Comic Club, told reporters at the time.
His vigorous performance had impressed parade judges, who named him best comic captain.
The title was not given out of sympathy, Porco insisted. "The judging was done before he collapsed," he said.
The brigade theme was "When Hell Freezes Over," a salute to the city's sports teams' actually winning championships. Murray wore a sequined red devil costume topped by a red bowler hat.
"He loved it," his wife said. "It was his favorite day of the year. He just loved it. If it's any consolation - and consolation is hard to see right now - he was doing just what he loved."
Mr. Murray "took his performance too seriously to drink," said a close friend, Harvey Kolodner. When it came to the Mummers, Kolodner said, Mr. Murray was a "serious clown."
His daughter Kathryn, 24, was at his side when he collapsed, Joan Murray said. Mr. Murray and a friend had formed Wild Rovers so his daughter and the friend's daughters could march in Mummers parades.
Beside his wife and daughter, survivors include two sisters and a brother.
Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday at Stretch Funeral Home, 236 E. Eagle Rd., Havertown. A Funeral Mass will be said at 1 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 109 Manoa Rd., Havertown. Burial will be in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Marple Township.
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