In Memory of SSgt Jeremiah Irwin USMC
July 8, 1992 – March 23, 2025
Jeremiah proudly served his country for 13-1/2 years. Born and raised in Pittsburgh PA, he loved following the Steelers, Pirates and especially the Penguins (being a hockey player himself from the age of 7). After obtaining an honorable discharge from the Marines, Jeremiah was attending Duquesne University to be a history teacher.
Shared from an article in the Duquesne Duke:
Jeremiah Irwin was always keen to feel part of a fraternity, whether that was hockey or the Marines. His quiet but confident leadership led him to the top of the group, as captain of his high school team, or as staff sergeant in the Corps.
“He carried around a presence of leadership and accountability and then also could be kind and caring. He was a great listener,” said family friend and former Marine Adam Brunner. “He would always be there to hear anyone’s problems out and be there to support and help. I just wish he had that same help when he needed it.”
Irwin, a history student at Duquesne, died on Sunday, March 23, the school announced. Irwin, 32, was in his second year studying history after spending 13 years in the Marines. Irwin’s interest in joining the service started at the age of 15, when he began asking Brunner about his experience. Over hundreds of conversations with him and the family, Brunner told Irwin about his great experiences of travel, patriotism and brotherhood. Irwin made up his mind, and enrolled in the delayed entry program before he’d even graduated high school.
After graduating in 2010, Irwin joined the Marines and began his 13-year stint with the Corps that started in Parris Island, South Carolina. He later spent time in California, Washington D.C., North Carolina and overseas for a tour in Afghanistan.
During his time in the military, Irwin and his family frequently made time to see each other. He also kept in touch over the phone, like when he called his half-sister Baley on her 16th birthday to sing for her. Even though she didn’t always get to see him, she still knew he cared. “People would always make sure that I knew how much he loved me,” Baley said.
“He was genuine,” said Brunner. “He was one of those types of people that everybody loved … I’ve never heard of anyone who didn’t like ‘Jer’ that met him.
According to Irwin’s mom, Cathleen Wilberg, he wanted to become a history teacher and hockey coach after graduating. He started playing the sport at 7-years-old, and wore the “C” for the team at Keystone Oaks High School. “I think he probably would have been the best hockey coach any high school ever could have had. He knew how to motivate people,” Brunner said.
Always an athlete, Irwin also played football in middle school, ran a half-marathon and earned a black belt in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. As hockey captain, Irwin’s leadership extended beyond the ice, where he would stick up for kids in his neighborhood from bullies and greet new students at school.
Irwin had recently struggled with mental health issues, according to his girlfriend, Nicole Dunn, and his treatment had been delayed at the VA.
Since leaving the Corps over a decade ago, Brunner has volunteered on behalf of veterans dealing with mental health struggles. He is the chairman of a mental health advocacy council for Pittsburgh Veterans. Years removed from his four-year service, the transition to civilian life is still a battle.
“There’s so many veterans suffering with mental health, with PTSD, with depression, anxiety,” he said. “When you’re in the military, you’re taught to mask those emotions, keep them to yourself, and unfortunately, it’s something that veterans carry on after they get out.”
Brunner said his passion is to raise awareness, and show veterans that help is available. Programs involve immersive retreats, phone hotlines and many different types of therapy for veterans struggling with the transition.
“They don’t have that brotherhood they were part of, especially Jer,” Brunner said. “Thirteen years and then you get out and you feel very alone, and it’s up to us to let other veterans know we’re there for them and not let them slip through the cracks.”
When Irwin separated from his ex-wife, his connection with Brunner severed. He said he didn’t know Irwin had left the Corps, let alone moved a few miles away. It’s something he said will stick with him the rest of his life, and will inspire him to work even harder to connect with struggling vets.
“Maybe the one good thing that could have come out of all this is that I will be unwaveringly passionate about every single veteran I speak to and getting them [the] help that they need,” he said. “Because I’ll be damned if I see this happen again, in a case where I could have helped and I wasn’t there to.”
Each member of Irwin’s family had their own memories they cherished with him.
For his mother, it was their time on the road, whether that be travelling to hockey games or going on vacations. Irwin’s warm presence made him easy to be around.
“He was very kind. He wasn’t a mommy’s boy, but we were pretty close. He was with me a lot, so we had a great relationship. It was just nice to hang out with him,” Wilberg said.
For Baley, it was the trips to Dairy Queen in his Jeep to get milkshakes.
For Dunn, it was the little things he did for her, like opening car doors and making sure she walked on the inside of the sidewalk. She said that despite the challenges that being a student fresh out of the military posed, Irwin still tried his best.
“He hated when there would be breaks. He used to just want to go to school to keep busy. He loved history,” Dunn said.
“He wasn’t someone who made much effort for you to like him. You couldn’t help but to love him,” Brunner said.
He called home: Pennsylvania, Florida, Washington DC
Resting place: with his parents
