Dr. Alexander Murray Nicolson, 84, of Concord, MA passed away on Saturday, April 1, 2023 surrounded by his beloved family. Murray was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, as the son of the late James and Anne Nicolson. He leaves his wife Barbara, son Edward, his wife Valerie, and their three children Eleanor, Walter, and James, and his brother, David and his wife Liz. He was predeceased by his son, Stephen.

Murray was a graduate of Edinburgh University earning his BSc and PhD in Electrical Engineering. After a period of time at the Radar Research Establishment in England, where he met Barbara, the married couple emigrated to the USA where he worked for General Electric. After a year, Murray changed jobs to work at Sperry Rand Research center before completing his career with Instron Corporation, both in the U.S.A. and the U.K. At Instron Murray led the development of a new generation of materials testing machines.

Murray had many interests including sailing, music, amateur radio, and, most importantly, his Scottish heritage. He built and sailed a mirror dinghy, completed sailing certificates, and sailed around the Chesapeake Bay. He adored classical music concerts, including outdoor concerts at Tanglewood and the Hatch Shell in Boston. He supported many musical organizations, including Indian Hill Music in Groton. Murray obtained a ham amateur radio license and enjoyed communicating with other radio operators all over the world.

Murray's strong interest in genealogy and the origins of his Nicolson ancestry led him to dig through many church archive records in Scotland back to the 1700s in an attempt to trace his family roots back to the Nicolsons of Portree on the Isle of Skye. While researching this genealogy Murray became aware of land up for sale near the town of Portree that was destined to be developed with housing. The land was near the ancestral home of the Clan MacNicol chief, Scorrybreac. Working with locals and benefactors in the USA Murray was able to have the land purchased and put into trust, thus creating the Urras Clann MhicNeacail. (https://clanmacnicol.org/lands-scorrybreac) . Since the creation of the trust, the lands have been popular with locals and tourists alike for walking and sight-seeing. Murray also earned the ranks of Sennachie, Chieftain, and High Commissioner for the Americas allowing him to wear two eagle feathers in his cap.

Murray's enjoyment of music and dancing led him to become a certified instructor for the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society. Murray and Barbara enjoyed weekly dancing with the local dance groups and especially enjoyed New Year's Eve dances, with many of their hosted after-parties lasting well into the wee hours of New Year's Day.

Murray was also very active with St. Anne's in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, serving on the vestry and working with parishioners on many capital and improvement projects, outreach to the greater community, and support for families overseas.

Murray will be greatly missed for his adept wit, generosity, and dedication to doing the right thing for others.

Family and friends are invited to gather for his funeral service at St. Anne's in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, 147 Concord Road, Lincoln on Tuesday, April 11th at 11 am. Services will conclude with a reception in the parish hall and burial at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord.  To attend via livestream, please access the below video link:

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Murray's memory to St. Anne's in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 6, Lincoln, MA 01773.

Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.