Raymond P. Pekich

Raymond P. Pekich, 77, of Monroeville, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. A loving husband, brother, father, grandfather, friend, and mentor, Ray was an enormous, steadying presence in the lives of his friends and family. Preceded in death by his father and mother (Peter P. Pekich and Natalie (Pavich) Pekich); as well as his sister, Patricia (Ettinger). Ray is survived by his wife, Sandy; his sister, Donna (Bertazzoni); his children, Ray (Joanne) Pekich and Danielle (Richard) Nicol; his nephew, Peter; niece, Alison; grandchildren, Thomas, Maxwell, Emily, and Colin. A few weeks ago, Ray was commenting on the obituary of his daughter-in-law's dad and said, 'I want you to make my obit just as exciting. Tell them I was a spy.' But we really don't need any dramatic flourishes to make his life interesting. He did that all by himself. He packed his years with creativity, laughter, and love. Whether it was commandeering part of his sisters' closet to build his first radio studio, building a still for a high school science project, drag racing a Corvette with his VW Beetle, moving to Pittsburgh largely on a promise to build his radio career, learning to fly, teaching himself programming to run his own website, or any of a myriad of other adventures. But more than that, what marked Ray's life was how he went above and beyond for the people he cared about. He's mentored generations of broadcast professionals and helped steer AFTRA (American Federation of Radio and Television Artists) through its merger with the Screen Actors Guild. As a preemie himself, he always had time for the March of Dimes marketing committee and, for years, helped write banter for the annual PRTC (Pittsburgh Radio and Television Club) luncheon. And he'd do anything for his kids, up to and including driving to Wheeling for backstage access to an REO Speedwagon concert when his 11-year-old son had to miss the Pittsburgh show because he was sick. What we'll miss most is his enormous, steadying presence. He was kind, he was funny, he was bright, and he could fill a room with warmth whether it was friends, peers, family, or his grandkids. Family and friends were received from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at the JOBE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY INC., (MONROEVILLE/PLUM CHAPEL), 445 Beatty Road, Monroeville, (412-856-4747). In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to March of Dimes. (https://www.marchofdimes.org/ways-to-give/donate) Please add or view tributes at www.jobefuneralhome.com.