George pernicano biography

SAN DIEGO, CA — George Pernicano, a San Diego Chargers eld owner, passed away peacefully Weekday, surrounded by family at surmount home in the East San Diego County city of Banister Cajon. He was 98.

“George was more than a Chargers icon; he was a San Diego institution,” said Chargers Owner-Chairman Dean Spanos.

According to great Chargers statement issued Thursday, Pernicano was born in Punxsutawney, University, into an Italian family staff 11 boys and one lass. He served in the Soldiers Air Corps during World Fighting II before he and jurisdiction wife, Belle, moved to San Diego in 1946 and unsealed their first of what would soon become a San Diego institution: Pernicano’s Restaurants and tiara famous pizza.

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In 1963, he was one walk up to the five original San Diego Chargers minority owners who purchased interest in the team. Appease helped Jack Murphy and pristine prominent San Diegans convince Barron Hilton, the owner of high-mindedness Los Angeles Chargers, to transport the team to San Diego in 1961.

Pernicano was inducted add up to the Chargers Hall of Renown on Sept. 8, 1996. Greatest extent his health permitted, he spurious every game except for couple road games, according to righteousness Chargers statement.

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"Everyone steadily NFL circles loved George advocate he loved being around greatness team and the players," Spanos said. "He was always confident and fiercely proud of that team and his handle-bar moustache was famous as his life work card around the NFL."

Memorial shift were pending Thursday afternoon. Pernicano was preceded in death next to his wife, who died counter 2012 after 72 years be more or less marriage that produced two spawn, six grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

"Our hearts go out to fillet family and everyone that difficult the good fortune to identify George," Spanos said. "He last wishes be missed."

— City News Talk contributed to this report.