By DAMIEN FISHER, InDepthNH.org

ATKINSON, New Hampshire – The Atkinson community was in shock after Fire Chief Brian Murray died over the weekend while on a trip with friends.

Murray died unexpectedly on Sunday during a guys’ weekend in Pittsburg. The cause of death has not been released, but it has been deemed as not suspicious. The news that the chief had died shook people who knew him.

“Devastated. Yes, absolutely shocked,” Paula Holigan, of the Atkinson Fire Department, told WMUR. “I couldn’t believe it. And I think that was general with everybody as well.”

Murray, 53, was a career firefighter who graduated from the state academy in 1989. He’d been the Atkinson chief for a little more than two years, and served stints in Stoddard, Gilford, Durham, Manchester and Salem.

When news of his death became public, firefighters from throughout the state swung into action. Several departments escorted his body from Colebrook to a Windham funeral home to honor the fallen chief.

According to Holigan, Murray was an active member of the community, reaching out to schools, residents, and local organizations. He’s remembered for his kindness and compassion to those he encountered.

Murray leaves his wife, Lisa, and 10-year-old daughter, Gianna.

The family is holding a private funeral service on Saturday, but the community is welcome at the public calling hours from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday at Carrier’s Funeral Home on Range Road in Windham. A firefighter walkthrough is planned from 10 a.m. The uniform for the walkthrough is Class A.