SOUTH NEW BERLIN, N.Y. (WKTV) - The family of the Central New York man stricken with Lou Gehrig's Disease who was part of the New York Yankees "Hope Week" two weeks ago, say they're extremely grateful he got to live his dream before he died.  Kim Murray of South New Berlin says her husband George will forever be remembered for his love of the New York Yankees and his positive attitude, while battling the life threatening disease, known as ALS.
    
Murray took part in the Yankees Hope Week activities on July 21st.  Exactly two weeks later, he died unexpectedly.  Today, Kim told News Channel Two that she wants to thank everyone who has supported her family since his story has been aired.  Kim says she has received numerous emails, even letters from people, that include newspaper clippings about George, "I always knew he had an impact on people, but it's not till something like this, people we've never met that you find out  that he's touched."
    
Kim says she knew it was only a matter of time before ALS would take George, but didn't think it would come so soon, "but in the end, his poor body was just so tired.  My sister said it best, George wasn't ready to go, but his body was."  "I'm thankful that he got to go on his own terms.  ALS is a horrible disease, and I know that it had a whole lot of ugly things in store for him, but Thank God, he was spared  of having to go through any of that."
    
And finally, regarding the trip to Yankee Stadium where the Yankees honored George, and surprised him with 30 family members and friends to help him take part, Kim says "he lived his dream, he lived his dream, he did, and Thank God for that."
    
Kim says George wanted people to celebrate his life, not his death, so they are holding a "Celebration of Life" Saturday, August 15, 2009 at 3:00 P.M. at the family's home on State Route 23 in South New Berlin.  It is about 1/2 mile east of Route 8 and it is open to the public.