Edward L. Graf, Jr.

Edward L. Graf, Jr., 86, of the North Side, successful business executive, entrepreneur, devoted father, beloved “Opa,” passed away peacefully on Monday, September 22, 2025, surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his three sons, John and his wife Suzanne of Ben Avon, Stephen of Emsworth, and Tim and his wife Karen of Alexandria, VA. He is also survived by his sister, Gail Hodgins, and eight grandchildren: Laura (John Lithen), Will (Shelby), Max, Charlie, Josh, Garrett, Ella, and Declan. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 52 years, Mary Ann, his parents, Edward L. Sr., and Laura Mae Graf, as well as his brother Denis.

Raised in Ross Township, Ed was born on September 24, 1938 and attended West View High School. He later matriculated to the University of Pittsburgh, meeting Mary Ann, the love of his life, who was his Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity sweetheart. He was able to attend Pitt due to the generosity of a Teamsters Union scholarship, which he won in an essay competition. He later attended law school at Duquesne University, sitting in class at night while juggling a full-time job and two small children at home. He graduated in 1967.

Ed was a proud 1960’s era veteran of the PA Air Force National Guard. In 1960, he launched his business career as a Certified Public Accountant with what is now the public accounting firm KPMG. He later gravitated to business, becoming the controller of a manufacturing company, G.E. Smith, at the age of 26. In 1969 he joined the iconic advertising and public relations agency, Ketchum Communications. He quickly rose through the ranks to become General Counsel, Controller, and ultimately Chief Financial Officer and Vice Chairman of the international firm. He retired in 1996, after engineering Ketchum's sale to international advertising giant Omnicom Corporation.

While an executive at Ketchum, Ed and Mary Ann scratched an entrepreneurial itch and acquired the former St. Mary’s Church and Priory in Deutschtown. They converted the vacant buildings into what is now a boutique hotel and event venue, The Priory Hotel and Grand Hall at the Priory. That enterprise continues to thrive under the ownership of their son John and daughter-in-law Suzanne.

Ed was also a benefactor to many, setting up the Graf Family Charitable Fund to make donations to a wide variety of Pittsburgh non-profits. When he retired from Ketchum, he created a trust to give grants to the children of the employees who worked for him to further their educations.

Ed was exceptionally proud of his Swiss and German heritage. He was a Life Member of the Teutonia Mannerchor on the North Side, where he served several terms as Trustee, Officer, Choir Member and Director. He was also an active member of the Schweizer Mannerchor Helvetia, the Pittsburgh Swiss Singers. It was not uncommon for Opa to break out German song sheets at family gatherings and lead everyone in a rousing chorus.

Making use of his 6’5” frame, Ed was also a hoops fanatic, playing into his late 50’s when a hip replacement ended his long run on the hard wood. He started his career on the Pitt freshman team where his claim-to-fame was guarding “The Logo,” Jerry West, when the Panthers played West Virginia. Later he played all species of pick-up, from daily lunchtime games at the downtown YMCA, to Saturdays at Avonworth Park, to weekly Tuesdays at the Avonworth Jr. High gym. The words “Right Back, Big Man,” would ring out anytime someone passed him the ball.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to WORK, an organization which accompanies the poorest of the poor in Haiti, Ghana and other geographies globally out of poverty through good, dignified jobs. www.dowork.org/donate (https://www.dowork.org/donate).360 E. 2nd St, suite 800, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Family and friends will be welcomed at McDonald-Linn Funeral Home, 529 California Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15202 on Sunday, September 28, 2025 from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Funeral service will take place at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Perrysville, 920 Perry Hwy, Pittsburgh, PA 15229 on Monday, September 29, 2025 at 1:00 pm. Memorial wake will take place thereafter on September 29 at The Grand Hall at The Priory, 614 Pressley St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm.

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