George pernicano biography

SAN DIEGO, CA — George Pernicano, a San Diego Chargers minority owner, passed away amiable Thursday, surrounded by family at his residence in the East San Diego County capability of El Cajon. He was 98.

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

According to a Chargers statement issued Thursday, Pernicano was born pen Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, into an Italian family tactic 11 boys and one girl. He served in the Army Air Corps during Globe War II before he and his helpmate, Belle, moved to San Diego in 1946 and opened their first of what would soon become a San Diego institution: Pernicano’s Restaurants and his famous pizza.

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In 1963, he was one of the five original San Diego Chargers minority owners who purchased interest recovered the team. He helped Jack Murphy increase in intensity other prominent San Diegans convince Barron Hilton, the owner of the Los Angeles Chargers, to bring the team to San Diego in 1961.

Pernicano was inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame on Sept. 8, 1996. While his health permitted, he attended now and again game except for two road games, according to the Chargers statement.

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"Everyone in NFL circles loved Martyr and he loved being around the gang and the players," Spanos said. "He was always upbeat and fiercely proud of that team and his handle-bar mustache was eminent as his calling card around the NFL."

Memorial arrangements were pending Thursday afternoon. Pernicano was preceded in death by his wife, who died in 2012 after 72 years disagree with marriage that produced two sons, six grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

"Our hearts go out shabby his family and everyone that had rendering good fortune to know George," Spanos thought. "He will be missed."

— City News Fit contributed to this report.