Jonmichael Scott McManus-Murphy

Jonmichael Scott McManus-Murphy, 22, died unexpectedly on Monday, February 17, 2025 in Brattleboro, Vermont. He was born on December 16, 2002 in Brattleboro, son of Carol (Perrigo) McManus of Brattleboro and the late Raymond Murphy of Southaven, Mississippi.

Jonmichael graduated with high honors from Brattleboro Union High School in 2021. He was an active child who enjoyed many sports and activities including soccer, baseball, skateboarding, swimming, fishing, and camping. He cherished road trips with his family to visit relatives and explore new parts of the country. From a young age, he was drawn to music, especially percussion and singing. In high school he began composing his own music and performed at BrattRock in 2018. He continued composing and performing music until his death.

 To his mother, he was a miracle and a blessing who pushed his way into this world and kept her on her toes with his energetic free spirit and his animated nature. He brought her many smiles and tears of joy. She is forever grateful that he chose her as his mother, and she was truly his biggest fan. He will always be her “little man” and one of her greatest joys.

Jonmichael will be remembered by his family and friends as a person with an adventurous spirit and an inquisitive mind. He loved pulling pranks and making people smile. He also had a philosophical side, asking deep questions about the meaning of life and his place in the world, and he strove to make positive change.

 He had a caring nature, which he expressed to everyone he met and to animals of all species, especially his beloved cats Cheese and Rose. He formed many relationships with people in the community, most recently those without housing, and if he could have, he would have opened his doors to all.

 In addition to his father, Jonmichael was predeceased by his grandparents Troy and Emma Murphy, Lois Perrigo, and Merton Davis; uncles John Perrigo, Doug and Chris Murphy and brother Nathan Shaffer.

 He is survived by his mother Carol McManus; sisters Honnee McManus, Marilee Murphy, Alison Dixon, Christa Harty, JoAnne Welch, Maryann Call; brothers Nicholas Ahlgren, David Weeks, Corey Russell, Paul Kickery; grandmother Ellen Schwartz; aunts Angela Perrigo, Dennise Neilson, Skyler Wind, Bre Abul, Michele Curran-Wells; uncles Scott Perrigo (Crystal), Michael Murphy, Gary Murphy (Vickie), Ted Addison (Cheryl), Fabio Gaveri (Beatrice); cousins Jennifer, Kelley and Debra French, Ben and Garrett Murphy, Jim Norton (Sherry), Matthew and Carolyn Norton, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other beloved family members and friends.

Visitation will be from 5-7 pm, Wednesday, Feb. 26 at Ker Phaneuf Funeral Home, 57 High St., Brattleboro, Vermont. Additional visitation will be from 1-2 pm, Thursday, Feb. 27 at Centre Congregational Church, 193 Main St., Brattleboro, to be immediately followed by a funeral service, with Rev. Lise Sparrow officiating. 

 In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a memorial contribution to Groundworks Collaborative, PO Box 370, Brattleboro, VT 05302 or groundworksvt.org.

 Ker Phaneuf Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. To view an online tribute, leave a message of condolence, or for more information, please visit www.phaneuf.net.