Longtime NFL Official Jerry Bergman Dies

ROSS TOWNSHIP, PA - Jerry Bergman, who had the second-longest tenure of any National Football League official in NFL history, died on Monday. He was 87.

Mr. Bergman, of Ross, formerly of the North Side, officiated in the NFL from 1966 to 1995. He worked four Super Bowls, two Pro Bowls, seven conference championship games and numerous playoff contests. He also helped create the Professional Football Referees Association and played a pivotal role in negotiating the first pension for game officials.

Mr. Bergman was a 1948 graduate of North Catholic High School, where he quarterbacked the football team. He received numerous honors over the years, including the Dapper Dan Award. He is a member of the Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, the North Catholic Hall of Fame and the North Side Hall of Fame.

Mr. Bergman is survived by his wife of 63 years, JoAnn (Cvetic); children Jeff (Beth Anne), Julie Zangaro (Gary), Jerry (Sue), and Jeannine Patton (Po); grandchildren Jessica, Brandon, Brock, Brett, Jordan, Cody, Beau, Tyler, Ali, Brody, and Tanner; and six great-grandchildren. He was the brother of Ray, Father Charles, Rosemary Amurgis, and the late William. He also is survived by many nieces, nephews, relatives, friends; especially his devoted caretaker, Janet Henney.

Friends will be received on Wednesday from 2 -8 p.m. at the Devlin Funeral Home, 806 Perry Highway in Ross. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday at 10 a.m. in St. Teresa of Avila Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be directed to Arden Courts of the North Hills.

Photo by webhamster via Creative Commons.