By Nova Beall, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Diana and Ray Murphy
Ray and Diana Murphy of Dunedin celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a dinner party at the home of their daughter in Colorado Springs, Colo.
The couple met at a high school graduation dance.
They married July 9, 1960, at Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church in Staten Island, N.Y.
Mr. Murphy served in the Army from 1957 to 1959.
He was a corrections officer for two years in Manhattan, N.Y., then worked as an assistant to the Quartermaster of the New York Police Department until moving to Dunedin in 1978.
Mrs. Murphy received an associate's degree in early childhood education from the former Staten Island Community College and was a teacher for nine years at Edwin Markham Day Care Center in Stapleton, N.Y. Locally, she was a benefits coordinator for Aegon USA/Advanced Financial Services in St. Petersburg and retired in 2000.
They are members of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Dunedin, and the Elks Club.
He enjoys bowling, watching baseball and college football, and is a "big-time" New York Yankees fan. For 12 years, while living in Staten Island, he coached the Great Kills Little League and pee wee football league.
She likes to read and swim in the gulf, and participates in Dunedin's special events, including craft shows and Mardi Gras. Before moving here, she coached the Great Kills Lassie League softball team.
The couple love traveling, especially cruising the Caribbean, with 26 trips so far.
The Murphys have a son, Raymond Murphy of Dunedin; a daughter, Donna Baltz of Colorado Springs; three granddaughters; and a great-grandson.
• • •
Frank and Lou Mulligan of Safety Harbor recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
The couple married Aug. 5, 1950, in Monroe, Wis.
Mr. Mulligan worked 40 years with Frito-Lay in Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois before transferring to Florida in 1980.
While in Wisconsin, Mrs. Mulligan worked in advertising at the Monroe Evening Times.
Since retirement in 1987, he has been an active golfer and keeps busy with lawn work and gardening.
She loves gardening and also paints.
The Mulligans have a son, Mike Mulligan of Odessa; a daughter, Lisa Mulligan of Oak Park, Ill.; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
• • •
Susan and Russell Palmer of Belleair celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a three-week Alaskan land and sea tour in July. They continued their celebration with a surprise party at their beach home on Kiawah Island, S.C., on Sept. 10 with family and friends.
The Palmers married Sept. 10, 1960, at St. Vincent de Paul Church, Elmont, N.Y.
They moved to the area from Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y., in 1971.
Mr. Palmer owned a national publisher's representative company, which he sold in 1989, before retiring.
Mrs. Palmer was a homemaker and worked part-time for her husband.
The Palmers enjoy tennis, biking and volunteer delivering Meals on Wheels. They assist with activities of the Miniature Arts Society of America and their churches.
• • •
To celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary, Frederick A. and Mary E. Miller of Clearwater plan to cruise the western Caribbean this year.
The Millers married Sept. 17, 1950, in Dunkirk, N.Y.
He is a Navy veteran of World War II and served April 1943 to December 1945.
They lived in Sharon, Pa., and Boardman, Ohio, before coming here in March 1961.
He served 20 years with the Clearwater Police Department.
She worked 10 years at Maas Brothers and 17 years at Nielsen Media Research.
The Millers are members of Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Clearwater.
He is a lifetime member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 10, Clearwater.
The couple have four daughters; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.