Ronald Murphy

Ronald John Murphy Jr., 35, a bright natural leader and believer in the underdog, passed away unexpectedly at his residence in Edgewood, Pennsylvania on Thursday, April 17, 2025.

Ron's occupation was as an auto mechanic, working most recently at Lifetime Automotive Center locations in Pittsburgh, but his knowledge and abilities spanned wide-ranging interests that included politics, music, martial arts, film and much more.

Before Edgewood, he lived in various locations in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, but he notably made a huge impact upon his peer group in his teen years in the Pittsburgh suburb of West Mifflin. He was elected senior class president at West Mifflin Area High School, winning with an anti-establishment campaign of the kind typical of a young man who never felt compelled to bow down to authority figures.

Others looked up to Ron as a good-hearted, fun-loving individual who cared passionately about people and causes. The one-time trumpet player in his high school band became a punk rock enthusiast who played guitar in a band, Aliens in Uranus. His favorite band was Mischief Brew, to whom he was devoted.

Ron had his own mischievous streak, whether making workdays fun with his Kennywood Park co-workers in his teen years or cracking up friends with stories and antics as an adult. At the same time, he followed serious news events closely in his 20s and 30s, developing the ability to converse skillfully about wide-ranging national and global topics.

Ron had been an altar boy and Eucharistic Minister at Resurrection Church in West Mifflin. He played basketball at James Lavelle School and poured his heart and soul into every game. He belonged to the Junior Air Force ROTC where he served as a member of the Color Guard. He became a cross-country runner and tennis player for his high school teams and was a talented jiu-jitsu student and competitor, winning several tournaments.

He also loved the outdoors, was deeply proud of his Irish heritage, and always kept photos of President John F. Kennedy nearby as the one political figure whom he admired. Ron had a big heart and was deeply caring about everything and everybody he encountered.

Ron was a triplet whose survivors include his sisters, Kristi (Vito) Angrisano of South Korea and Jenni (Jim) Giampa of Finleyville. He is also survived by his mother, Denise (Bill) Mackowick of Monroeville; his father, Ron (Susan) Murphy, of West Virginia; his loving partner, Leslie Rotstein of Edgewood; his grandmother, Bernadette Shimko of West Mifflin; four nephews; and aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 24, at Savolskis-Wasik-Glenn Funeral Home Inc., 3501 Main St. in Munhall.

A funeral mass will be held at 12:00 noon on Friday, April 25, at St. Therese Church, 1 St. Therese Court in Munhall.