Donald Murray

Donald Raymond Murray, age 91, of Beaver Falls passed on to our Lord, on Monday, October 27, 2025. He was born on June 13, 1934 in Brownsville, PA, is the son of the late Frank and Beulah Murray of Vestaburg, PA which was Donald's childhood hometown. He is preceded in death by Rosemarie, his high school sweetheart and loving wife of 65 years, his daughter Jeanne Fisher and brother Franklin Murray.
Donald is survived by his daughter Michelle (Stephen Bowles) of Sewickley, PA, and Naples, Florida, their two sons Patrick of Gainesville, Florida and Adam (Poynette, Wisconsin). his brother Gene (late wife Sophie), and their children Curtis, Sandy, and Tracy all of Georgia.
Donald was a lover of music. While attending East Bethleham High School in Fredericktown, PA he became an outstanding baritone horn player, senior band president, student conductor, and featured soloist of the 1952 band concert. Whether it was playing or listening, music helped fulfill his life throughout the rest of his adult years.
After jobs on assembly lines in a glass factory in Washington, PA, an RCA factory in Canonsburg, then as a Gandy Dancer (laborer) for the Penna. Railroad in the Charleroi area he joined the United States Air Force and became a jet fighter engine mechanic. Following his discharge from the Air Force he used the GI Bill to earn his Bachelors Degree in speech therapy and guidance counseling from what is now California University of PA. Later he earned a Masters Degree in speech pathology from West Virginia University.He was a certified speech/language pathologist for the Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit for 33 years and was assigned to schools in the Big Beaver Falls Area and Blackhawk School Districts. Don was a life member of the National Education Association (NEA) and Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA), and was also a member of the Pennsylvania Speech and Hearing Association (PSHA).His other memberships included the American Legion Post #261 in Beaver Falls, PA, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge #348 in Beaver Falls, PA.
Don was a resident of Patterson Twp., and a member of Saint Monica Catholic Church in Chippewa. He will be remembered as a loving, devoted father who was self-giving and always prioritized the needs of others over himself. He will be missed.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, November 4th at 10:30 a.m. in Saints John & Paul Catholic Church of Saint Luke the Evangelist Parish, 2586 Wexford Bayne Rd, Sewickley, PA 15143, and preceded by private family visitation at Schellhaas & Sons Funeral Home, Sewickley.
In lieu of flowers, make donations, if desired to St. Monica Catholic Academy, 609 10th Street, Beaver Falls, PA 15010 or www.smca.srces.org/donate.
Please leave all condolences at www.schellhaasfh.com.