Former FirstEnergy External Affairs Director

September 6, 2019

FirstEnergy lost a dear friend and colleague with the passing of Murphy Montler, a former External Affairs director who died unexpectedly last week.

Over a 41-year career that began as a coal-chute loader at the Homer City Power Plant in 1977, Murphy served in a number of key roles across the organization where he built many strong relationships throughout our service territory.  Following a series of promotions, Murphy was named area manager for Penelec. In 2007, Montler was named director of IT Energy Delivery and Customer Service. After moving into External Affairs for Ohio Edison, Murphy later became the director of External Affairs for Ohio and West Virginia in 2014.

Murphy retired from FirstEnergy last year and had been serving as a consultant to FirstEnergy Solutions to garner support for Ohio House Bill 6.

Murphy was a graduate of Saint Francis University with a bachelor’s degree in Management and a master’s degree in Business Administration. He was a board member of Summit County Crime Stoppers, a former board member of American Red Cross and an alumnus of Leadership Akron, Class 28.

Calling hours will be held on:

  • Wednesday, Sept. 4, from 3-7 p.m. at Guardian Angels Catholic Church, 1676 South Cleveland-Massillon Rd, Copley, OH 44321.
  • Friday, Sept. 6, from 3-7 p.m. at Stevens Mortuary, 1421 8th Ave., Altoona, PA 16601.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Sat., Sept. 7 at 10 a.m. at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 5515 Roselawn Ave., Altoona, PA.

The family requests no flowers. Donations can be made to:

Summit County Crime Stoppers
c/o Chief Michael Mier
Copley Township Police Department
1280 Sunset Dr.
Copley, OH 44321

Dancing Classrooms Northeast Ohio
1085 Rockside Road, Suite #6
Parma, OH 44134