Joseph Murray

05/16/1938 - 01/29/2026

Born in 1938 along the shorelines of the Monongahela River in Homestead, Pennsylvania, Joseph James Murray became a leader in the steel industry who brought out the best in people and rarely faced a challenge he could not meet. After graduating from University of Pittsburgh where he lettered on its first soccer team, he became J&L Steel's youngest master mechanic in 1959. For the next forty years he fearlessly took on new engineering and managerial roles at J&L and LTV, becoming Superintendent of the Blast Furnace in Aliquippa and the General Manager of Raw Materials for LTV in Cleveland. His experience, depth of knowledge, and wise leadership made him indispensable to the steel industry, even in its demise. The hardest job he ever had was to decommission the same mills that made the city thrive, including the one where he first worked, Pittsburgh Works in Hazelwood. But he did so with great foresight advocating for bike and pedestrian paths along the Monongahela. He was most proud of paving the way for the conservancy of the Hot Metal Bridge in Pittsburgh's South Side. He was a devoted husband to Jean Schoaf Murray, a kind and helpful brother to Richard, Robert, and David Murray; a generous father to Glenn and Cara and supportive father-in-law to Lynn and Enrique. He was an engaged grandfather of Abigail and Andrew, who learned from him a deep respect for Cleveland's patrimony, and how to make beautiful things with their hands. Everyone who knew him will miss his humor, storytelling, limericks, support, and friendship. He brought us all along.
Family and friends will be received on Friday, February 6, 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00, at the SAVOLSKIS-WASIK-GLENN FUNERAL HOME, INC., 3501 Main Street, Munhall, PA 15120. A Funeral Mass and repass will be held on Saturday, February 7, 10 AM, at the St. Agnes Church of the St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, West Mifflin. Interment will follow at St. Hedwig Catholic Cemetery, West Mifflin, where he will join the love of his life, Jean. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jim's name may be made to Rivers of Steel (riversofsteel.com/support). Condolences may be left at www.swgfuneralhome.com.