Jerry Edmund Romig

Jerry Edmund Romig (born Nov. 16, 1929 and died Dec. 23, 2016) is survived by the love of his life for 62 years, his wife Janice Margaret Collins, and five children: Jerry Jr. "Jay" , Mark (David Briggs), Anne Tucker, Mary Beth (Cecil Haskins), Ellen (Matthew Fihlman), and his sister Mary. He was predeceased by two daughters, Ruth Ellen and Jan Marie. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren - Lindsey Romig, Ruth Tucker Ladner, Leah Tucker Ferguson, John Neal Tucker, Matthew Tucker, Brandy Romig, Bayley Romig, Blake Romig, Ben Fihlman, Ellie Fihlman and Mimi Fihlman, and one great grandchild Anna Ladner. Jerry is the son of the late Clinton C. Romig and the late Hyacinth McCabe Romig, and predeceased as well by his brothers Clinton, Ralph, John and William. Jerry was a graduate of Holy Cross High School, where he was honored as the Holy Cross Man of the Year Award. Jerry attended Loyola University. Jerry's career touched many aspects of the city. He is perhaps best known recently as the Stadium Announcer for the New Orleans Saints, serving in the role for 44 years and 446 consecutive games, never missing a Home Game. He was one of if not the longest serving stadium announcer in the NFL. In 2009, Jerry began this role in the third year of Saints football (1969) at Tulane Stadium and was at the microphone in 1970 when Tom Dempsey kicked the record setting field goal against the Lions. At the time we was also doing Tulane Football games. He has announced four (4) Super Bowls in New Orleans along with Sugar Bowl games and college football championships. Jerry's famous calls "First Down, Saints!" and "It's Good!" were recognized by all fans that attended the games he called. Many times when he met fans on the street he was asked to say these iconic pronouncements. Jerry was honored by the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame with the Joe Gemelli Fleur De Lis Award, awarded annually to a person who has contributed to the betterment of the New Orleans Saints organization or who has contributed to the New Orleans Saints. He also received the Amateur Football Award from the New Orleans Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. Jerry was also the "Voice of Endymion" for 47 years announcing the annual parade and the Extravaganza. Jerry began his career at age 16 a stringer reporter for the Times Picayune, did military service during the Korean War and then joined the staff of the afternoon New Orleans States in the Sports Department. He then joined WDSU-TV in 1955 and had a 19 year career at Channel 6, eventually achieving status as Vice-President of the Station and Program Director. Jerry was a part of the broadcast team which was awarded the renowned George Foster Peabody Medal for Public Service Television, the Ohio State Award and the Gold Bell Award. In 1974, Jerry accepted a position with the Archdiocese of New Orleans, as Director of Development, where he established the Development Office and the Catholic Foundation. He was also the Archdiocese' founding President and General Manager of WLAE-TV, created by then Archbishop Philip M. Hannan. In 1990, Jerry joined the Daughters of Charity to create an Office of Development for Hotel Dieu Hospital, which later became University Hospital. Eventually, he served the State of Louisiana in dual positions as Director of Communications for the entire State of Louisiana Public Hospital System and Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the Medical Center of Louisiana. For many years Jerry hosted the weekly LSU Medical Center/Charity Hospital call-in show "Health Call" on WLAE-TV. Later, he also hosted Tulane University Medical Center's call-in show "Tulane On Call" on Cox TV as well as the New Orleans Aviation Board regular cable show. In 2004, joined Peter A. Mayer Public Relations as Senior Counsel, until his retirement in October, 2008. Jerry's community services are numerous and include President and Chairman of the Sugar Bowl Committee; President, Goodwill Industries; President of the Press Club of New Orleans and recipient of its Lifetime Achievement Award; President of the New Orleans Rotary Club; President of St. Mary's Dominican College Advisory Board; Chairman, New Orleans Council, Chamber of Commerce; Chairman of Juvenile Court Advisory Committee; Chairman, Public Relations Committee of the United Way; President, St. Dominic School Dad's Club; President, Brother Martin High School Parents Club; President, Dominican High School Parents Club. Served on Xavier University of Louisiana Board of Visitors. Jerry and his wife Janice served as a foster parents for 21 babies through the Children's Bureau, providing a stable home until the babies were ready for adoption. Jerry is recipient of the Order of St. Louis Medal and was honored by Pope John Paul II as a Knight of St. Gregory. He was also honored by the Boy Scouts of America with the Silver Beaver Award for his work in scouting and Brother Martin High School honored him with the Founders Award. Jerry was a member of St. Dominic Parish and St. Agnes Parish. He was also a member of the Southern Yacht Club, and the 610 Stompers. He was the recipient of the YLC's Role Model of the Year Award, and received the Volunteer Activist Award from the St. Elizabeth's Guild. He recently was honored by Mayor Mitch Landrieu with the New Orleans Legends Award. Jerry's hobbies were his family, reading, fishing and Saints Football. Special thanks to Passages Hospice and Caring Concepts for Life for the care and love given to Jerry at home for the last several months. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday December 26, 2015 at St Agnes Catholic Church 3310 Jefferson Hwy, Jefferson, LA at 12 Noon, Father Bac-Hai Viet Tran Celebrant The Family will receive friends beginning at 9:00 AM at St. Agnes. Interment private. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to Brother Martin High School 4401 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70122, St. Marys Dominican High School 7701 Walmsley Av New Orleans, LA 70125 or goodwill Industries of Southeast Louisiana, 3400 Tulane Av Suite 1000, New Orleans, LA. Condolences may be left at www.schoenfh.com.