Gerald G. "Jerry" Bergquist

1929 - 2008

Gerald Glenn Bergquist passed away peacefully April 11, 2008, at the Hospice Care Center.

He was born July 2, 1929, in Rhame, N.D., to Oscar and Erma (Irons) Bergquist. He attended Kessler and Catlin grade schools and was a 1947 graduate of Kelso High School.

Mr. Bergquist owned and operated many local taverns, including The Shamrock, Twin City and Sea-Hag in Ilwaco and also built Porky's. He was an installer for several years with Bell Telephone.

Jerry belonged to Trinity Lutheran Church, was a longtime member of the Elks Lodge and was a member of the Lower Columbia Officials Association. He enjoyed golf, fishing, the beach, spending time with his buddies and playing a lot of softball as a catcher. He later played on, and sponsored, several tavern softball teams.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Harriet "Hattielou" (Thompson) Bergquist in 1999.

Mr. Bergquist is survived by two brothers, Gale (Charlene) Bergquist of Portland and Dean Bergquist of Renton, Wash.; six sisters, Elaine (Bob) Belding of Medford, Ore., June (Pete) Mason of Kelso, Juanita (John) Moses of Kalama, ElsieMaye (Roy) Eastlick of Longview, Karleen (Arnold) Hallin of Central Point, Ore., and Becky (Jerry) Farless of Springfield, Ore.; two sisters-in-law, Claire and Bobbie Klahn; and numerous nieces and nephews, including Lori and her husband, Steve.

Jerry was a kind and caring person who touched many lives, never having a bad word to say about anyone. He was always willing to help someone in need. Jerry enjoyed sports at every level. When he was younger, if he wasn't playing, he would be refereeing the game. Softball at the YMCA park was a huge part of his life. As the years went by, he became the coach and sponsor, not only of teams he was involved with, but helping other teams at every level. Jerry is a member of the Washington Softball Hall of Fame and received awards for 40 years of refereeing football and basketball. Jerry and his very close friend of many years, Bill Cheatly, were the first two picked from SW Washington to officiate the state tourney in 1974 at the Kingdome in Seattle. When Jerry was active in the tavern, he played pool and shuffleboard, and became a member of the Shuffleboard Hall of Fame, playing against some of the best players in the country.

Buddy, as he was called by his brothers and sister, always looked forward to Tuesdays for the Bergquist family breakfast and the annual Bergquist family picnic. On Thursdays his sister, Elsie Maye, would stop by to visit, then it was off to the Elks with his sister, Nita and brother-in-law, John. Jerry went on numerous fishing trips with good friends Tim Norton, Russ Kallwick, Butch Geissler and Lonnie Hage and too many more to mention. Sometimes they even brought home fish. Jerry had a special bond with his niece Lori, her husband, Steve and his sister-in-law, Claire. He looked forward to holiday family gatherings.

A lot of friends called him "Bergy". He had a few nick names he would use as well. If he said, "Hey Tiger" or "Hi Porky", "How are you doing Pork Chop" he considered you a friend.

Jerry Bergquist was a great man, and he will be missed.

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday at Bunkerhill Cemetery with Pastor Robert C. Giles officiating. A celebration of his life will follow from 2:30 to 5 p.m. at The Shamrock Tavern.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Home Health & Hospice, P.O. Box 2067, Longview, WA 98632 or the Parkinsons Disease Foundation, Division of Neurology, RG-27 University of Washington, 98105.

Cremation has taken place under the direction of Columbia Funeral Service.

Please sign the guest book at www.tdn.com/obits.