Obituaries

– Compiled by Jim Byrne –

Diane Ferguson Fradin
 
Diane Ferguson Fradin, the founder of a Florida chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, passed away September 4, in Carlsbad, Calif. She was 75.
Mrs. Fradin was born March 4, 1933, in Port Chester, to Hope and Kenneth Lowry, longtime Rye residents and members of Rye Presbyterian Church. She graduated from Rye High School, where her father taught chemistry, in 1950.
It was on a skiing trip in Vermont, that Mrs. Fradin met her first husband, Robert Ferguson. They were married September 12, 1953, had two children, and lived on Hillside Place in Rye for many years. Mr. Ferguson passed away September 12, 1987.
A chance encounter led Mrs. Fradin to her second husband. While going to pick up mail at her condo development in Largo, Fla., she bumped into Hyman Fradin as he was doing the same. The two hit it off and eventually wed. When Mr. Fradin was later diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, she devoted herself to his care. He passed away November 5, 2003.
“I remember her most as someone truly dedicated to her family,” said her sister, Jean Scarr of Brecksville, Ohio. “As soon as she earned enough money at her first job she bought a car for our parents. Later, she helped her son, Scott, with his carpet business in California.”
In 1983, Mrs. Fradin’s daughter, Laurie Ferguson, was killed in an automobile accident by a drunk driver. The motivated mother took action. She created the Pinellas County, Florida chapter of MADD and became its first president.
“As a middle child in a family of three, Diane learned soon in life to fend for herself,” said Mrs. Scarr. “She was determined to achieve results in all matters which were dear to her heart. Give her a task, and one could be sure that it would be handled in the most efficient and careful manner.”
Mrs. Fradin was also an avid duplicate bridge player who was close to becoming a Life Master. In her later years, Mrs. Fradin became a tennis enthusiast. She attended the La Costa women’s matches every summer, and her one regret was that she was never able to attend the US Open.
She loved to travel and visited Germany, France, Switzerland, and Italy with her sister. 
“She taught me how to be frugal during these trips by filling our backpacks with apples, peanut butter, and cheese,” said Mrs. Scarr. “I was in charge of all the train schedules, but she chose the hotels, some of which lacked the finer things but were easy on the wallet.”
 In addition to her sister, Mrs. Fradin is survived by a son, Scott; a brother, Robert Lowry and his wife Eleanor of St. Petersburg, Fla.; two nieces; and two nephews.
Contributions in her name can be sent to The Carcinoid Cancer Foundation, Inc., 333 Mamaroneck Avenue #492, White Plains, NY 10605.
 
Dr. Austin S. Murphy
 
Rye resident Dr. Austin S. Murphy, economist, educator, and banker, passed away September 9 at the age of 91. Dr. Murphy was born November 20, 1917, in New York to Daniel J. Murphy and Marie Austin Murphy. He was Chairman and President of River Bank America (formerly East River Savings Bank) from 1970-89.
“My father was an approachable man despite his great success,” said his son, Owen Murphy. “He inspired all of those who were around him.”
Dr. Murphy was married to the former Mary Patricia Halpin, who predeceased him in May of 1974. He was later remarried to Lee Chilton Romero, who died in February of 2007.
After receiving his bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn’s St. Francis College in 1938, Dr. Murphy immediately continued his education at Fordham University. As a Hayden Fellow from 1938-40, he earned both a master’s and doctorate degree in economics. From Fordham it was on to Georgetown University, where Dr. Murphy served as an economics instructor from 1941-42. In 1946, he returned to the place where he earned his PhD to teach economics at Fordham’s School of Education. Splitting his time even as he continued to teach at Fordham, Dr. Murphy began teaching at Seton Hall University in 1950, taking on the role of Dean of the School of Business Administration. He left New York for Buffalo in 1955, filling the same position at Canisius College until 1962.
In his younger days, Dr. Murphy enjoyed boating with his family off their Long Island home.
He is survived by his children Austin Joseph and Owen Gerard; and his grandchildren Rachel, Gerrit and Lizzie Murphy, and Tessa and Katie Romero. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated September 13 at Rye Resurrection Church.