Jerry R. Pangrazzi

In his early years, Jerry grew up in a mining family, attending and graduating from Stambaugh High School in Stambaugh, MI. Among other things, he was a member of the 1949 undefeated Stambaugh High School football team, on the 1950 South UP All-Star football team, and co-captained Northern Michigan University’s football team in 1953 (at the time, NMU was Northern Michigan College). During his time in college, Jerry was one of the original “Barracks Boys”, an athletic scholarship program from 1952-1956 that helped students become college graduates with professional occupations. His legacy in that program will live on through the historical marker placed on NMU’s campus.

Jerry graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan College and a master’s degree from the University of Michigan, then began his teaching and coaching career that would span several decades. As athletic director at Marquette Senior High School, Jerry never met a stranger. He couldn’t go anywhere without running into a colleague, a student, an athlete, or a friend.

Jerry’s lasting mark has been left in many places – the Jerry R. Pangrazzi Athletic Equipment Storage Facility building on the Marquette Senior High School campus, induction into both the UP Sports Hall of Fame and the Northern Michigan University Sports Hall of Fame, and as the first honoree of the James Trethewey Award for Distinguished Service from the Upper Peninsula Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association.

As both a lifelong teacher and lover of the outdoors, Jerry often combined the two. He enjoyed cycling, hunting, ski jumping, and cross-country and downhill skiing, where he would regularly enjoy the company of family and friends. In late retirement, Jerry was a downhill ski instructor at Ski Brule in Iron River and kept that role until well after his 86th birthday.

Jerry will be remembered as a man with a sense of pride and humility, and with deep love for his family. Left to carry on this legacy are his wife, Bertha (Tervo-Werronen), his children, Teri (Bill) Reed, Tina Gehrke, Michelle (Pete) Redlon, Craig (Susan) Pascoe, Susan Buckmaster, Judy Soulliere, Brian (Sara) Pascoe, Greg Werronen, Geoff (Carol) Werronen, and Laura Kagy, grandchildren Erin (Adam) Goff, Tim (Jess) Reed, Patrick (Maria) Reed, Courtney (Craig) Smith, Joe (Ellina) Reed, Stephanie (Jake) Kropac, Jessica (Tyler) Smith, Josh Gehrke, Ryan Gehrke, Zachary (Kali) Redlon, Alex Redlon, Luke Redlon, Theo Redlon, Isaac Redlon, Sophia Redlon, Christine (Ike) Beltran, Anthony (Cessi) Pascoe, Whitney (Brad) Nurmela, Michael (Ashlee) Kind, Zachary (Victor Cardoso) Pascoe, Theresa Pascoe, Oliver Pascoe, Simon Pascoe, Hilary Werronen (Matt Duven), Maia (Kurt) Wright, Clinton Millman, and Jackson Kagy, and 18 great-grandchildren.

Jerry is preceded in death by his first wife, Helen Williams (d. 11/19/1970), former wife, Elizabeth Niemela-Pascoe (d. 04/12/2014), and his brother Robert (Sally) Pangrazzi, sister Helen “Pina” (Lowell) Budzak, and parents.

Jerry’s family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care he received at Brookridge Heights Assisted Living and Memory Care, and Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice. Throughout his time under their care, he was treated with love and respect.

A private graveside service will be held at a later time in Park Cemetery. A memorial celebration will be announced for July 2024, where Jerry’s family and friends will remember his life.

Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy are kindly asked to consider Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice, 914 W. Baraga Ave., Marquette, MI 49855 in Jerry’s memory.

Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the Pangrazzi family where memories of Jerry may be shared at canalefuneral.com.