In Loving Memory of Franklyn A. Murrell
June 15, 1941 – July 31, 2026
Franklyn A. Murrell, an advocate for justice and equality, a creative, and caring, family man, passed away peacefully on July 31, 2026, at the age of 85. A man of profound conviction, charisma, and courage, he dedicated his youth to actualizing the promise of democracy for all people.
Immigrating from Panama to the United States in the 1960s, Franklyn arrived with a vision of a world built on freedom, dignity, and human rights. He did not merely seek opportunity for himself; he threw himself into the fight to ensure it existed for everyone. Driven by an unwavering belief in ending oppression, he courageously traveled to southern states during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, putting his own life on the line to stand alongside African Americans and register them to vote.
In his youth, he worked as a community activist in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, where he served with Youth in Action, a pioneering, community-based, anti-poverty, and empowerment organization. Throughout his life, he remained forward-thinking and progressive, recognizing that real change required both grassroots activism and political power. In 1972, he proudly campaigned for and supported Shirley Chisholm in her historic candidacy as the first Black woman to run for the United States presidency.
Beyond his impactful contributions to civil rights, Franklyn, brought humor and creativity, into the everyday lives of his family and friends. He was a creative soul at heart. A gifted DIY carpenter whose hands built and restored, a sportsman who enjoyed fishing regularly, a wonderful gardener who nurtured life when he planted, and an avid photographer who captured the beauty of the world around him. His home was often filled with the soulful sounds of him playing the guitar and the amazing, aromas of his kitchen, where he nourished and delighted everyone as a magnificent, home cook.
A true lion in both spirit and action, Franklyn, acted on his principles and roared on behalf of those whose voices were marginalized. He believed in justice, equality, diversity, democracy, and the broad expansion of liberty for every individual and took action to that effect, but his greatest joy was his family.
His strength and courage leave a lasting legacy that will resonate for generations to come not just for his family but for the nation he made his home.
Franklyn is survived by his beloved children: five daughters, one son, and two stepsons, as well as 8 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren.