Raymond A. Mernagh passed away peacefully on June 6, 2025 surrounded by his family and friends. He was 56.
Ray is survived by his wife, Janet, his siblings Pete, Mary Beth (Bill) Skelly, Geri (Chris) Macklin, Jim (Rita), Annemarie (Clayton) Bates, many nieces and nephews in whom he took great delight and loved intensely, and his twin Persians Razzle and Dazzle. Ray was blessed with many loyal and steadfast friends and he loved them as brothers. He was preceded in death by his parents, Anne and Jim Mernagh, his brother, Christopher, and his father-in-law, Ron Stofko.
Born in Brentwood, NY, Ray moved with his family to Portage, MI in 1971. He graduated from Hackett High School in Kalamazoo, MI, where he was a talented athlete, excelling in soccer, basketball, and tennis. He attended Marycrest College, where he played intercollegiate soccer and was a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, where he fell in love with the city that he called home for the rest of his life. Ray and Jan shared a passion for college basketball, traveling together to countless NCAA games and conference tournaments, including several trips to the Big East tournament.
Ray was a talented writer who freelanced for many publications and websites. His knowledge of college basketball was unparalleled, leading him to write 1 Chance 2 Dance: A Season Inside Mid-Major Hoops in Mid-America. Ray became a resource, facilitating connections between college coaches and players. This was a true labor of love for Ray, with no expectation of reward.
Ray had a tremendous capacity to love others and that love was returned to him in great measure. His ability to relate to people on their terms was truly a gift. He will be missed.
A gathering of family and friends will be held on Saturday, June 14, 2025 with Visitation from 1:00 – 4:00 pm and a Memorial Service from 4:00 – 5:00 pm at Pittsburgh Cremation and Funeral Care, 5405 Steubenville Pike, McKees Rocks, PA 15136. (412) 787-1800 PittsburghCremation.com
To win the game is great.
To play the game is greater.
But to love the game is greatest of all.
-The Palestra
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