Murray’s Mile

THE 1.3 MILE PRIVATE SIDEWALK BETWEEN THE GULF OF MEXICO AND THE CONDOMINIUMS LOCATED ON GULF SHORE BLVD NORTH, FROM THE CONDOMINIUM HORIZON HOUSE NORTH TO LE PARC WAS DEDICATED ON FEBRUARY 19TH AS THE MURRAY MILE . IT IS TO HONOR A TRULY DEDICATED RESIDENT AND THE MOST EFFECTIVE VOLUNTEER LEADER EVER MURRAY HENDEL. PAULINE AND MURRAY WILL BE MOVING TO BENTLEY VILLAGE. THE WALKWAY WILL NOT BE THE SAME WITHOUT MURRAY GREETING ALL, NEARLY EVERYDAY…FOR YEARS.

Murray Hendel has left Gulf Shore Blvd and he has left behind “Murray’s Mile.”

Mr. Hendel is moving to Bentley Village after over 27 years on Gulf Shore. He walked the beach behind his Park Shore high-rise condo. The beach walk nearly a mile long was where you could find Murray walking almost everyday. During his daily walks politicians often joined him. They would seek Hendel’s council on issues, be they local, State or National. Not only politicians would seek his advice, but leaders in industry and commerce would search for time on the walks with Murray to ask their questions and receive his valued advice.

Murray served on many boards in both the city and county. The County Tourist Development Council which Murray served on for more than
a decade will surely miss his straightforward advice that usually was spot on. The Gulf Shore Association of Condominiums where for thirteen years Murray showed off his great leadership skills as one of its founders and for seven years as its president will miss his valuable council.

The Collier Citizens Council (CCC) is a civic group Murray co-founded with members throughout the County. The CCC brings concerned minds from both the city and county to examine various programs and ideas that are brought foward for their input. Murray also was very involved in trying to bring the Chicago Cubs to Naples for spring training.

Mr. Hendel may have left the city to move to the county but Mayor John Sorey still considers him an honorary city citizen. He maybe living in the county, but the work he did in the city and the big footprints he left on “Murray’s Mile” will last for decades. We will not miss Murray because he will always be here.