Ira D. Ritter

On October 4, 1932, Ira D. Ritter, Sr. was born to Leroy Ritter, Sr. and Lucille Ritter in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. He ended his earthly journey peacefully on August 1, 2024, surrounded by his loving family at his home in Davenport, Florida. Ira grew up in the Hill District of Pittsburgh on Belinda Street and graduated from Fifth Avenue High School. After High School, he started his painting business, the I. Dennar Ritter Co., Inc., and his life- long career was dedicated to operating his highly regarded business with true professionalism, which he instilled in his family. He had an esteemed career which lasted over 50+ years and he was one of the first black industrial and commercial painting contractors’ signatory to the Local 6 Painters Union in Pittsburgh.

His motto was “Beauty is our Business” and he painted numerous, notable high-rises and apartment buildings throughout Pittsburgh and beyond, as well as Kane Hospital in Hazelwood. His painting career included great incentives which afforded him opportunities to travel the world with his wife to places including, but not limited to, Morroco, Egypt, Venezuela, Greece and Italy. During his many years of running his business, he also developed a hobby of buying property, which is truly part of his legacy. He always encouraged his family to buy property versus renting, when possible. In 1953, at the age of 21, Ira married his 19-year-old high school sweetheart, Mary Ann Stotts, also known as “Doll”. From their union they have 4 children, 4 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren, but as many have commented, Ira was a father figure to many. He was affectionately known as “Ritter”, “Big Ritt”, “Uncle Ritter”, “Uncle Arrie”, “Boss”, “Poppa Ritter” and “Pap-Pap”. He read the newspaper and watched the news daily and could hold knowledgeable conversation with anyone, about anything. Ira attended all of his son’s Central Catholic High School sporting events, and later in life enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s sporting events. He became a dedicated Steelers fan in his senior years!! Ira was a life-long, true lover of jazz music with friends like Stanley Turrentine, Walt Harper and Roger Humphries.

He was a subscribing member of the Manchester Craftsman’s Guild and enjoyed going to jazz shows at every opportunity. While driving he only listened to jazz, and if he was a passenger in your car, he did not hesitate to ask you to turn on a jazz station. Ira was a proud, long-term member of the Frogs (Friendly Rivalry Often Generates Success) Club, Inc., where he served as the corresponding secretary for many years; The Men of Fifth Avenue; the Wi-hub Club; and was one of the founding members of the Pittsburgh Council of Men.

Ira was preceded in death by his parents, Leroy and Lucille Ritter, and four siblings, Thelma Goins, Mary Lee Wynn, Carmel Hall, and Leroy Ritter, Jr. Ira is survived by his beloved wife Mary Ann; his children, Vicki Sheffey Jeter (Eugene), Rochelle Chatman (Boston), Ira Ritter, Jr. (Jennifer), and Michelle Ritter-Crawford (Frederick); his grandchildren, Rashad Gray, Aneesha Rutherford, Iovanna Ritter, Ira Ritter, III and Roderick Rutherford, Sr.; great grandchildren, McKenzie Page, Avayah Freeman, Roderick Rutherford, Jr., and Amarie Rutherford; his siblings, Kenneth Ritter, Sr. and Yvonne Gibbs; his sisters-in-law, Marie Francis, Diane Stotts and Linda Stotts; and a host of extra-special bonus daughters, nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. Our beloved Husband and Father will be most remembered for his infinite wisdom, business savvy, guidance, friendships, special sayings, humor, willingness to help others and his fierce love and protection of his family!

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