Daniel M. Bertges

Daniel M. Bertges, age 86, of North Fayette Township, Oakdale, PA, formerly of Erie, PA, passed comfortably on Sunday morning, February 15, 2026, at his home. Dan was beside his wife of 63 years, Nancy, as she tenderly held his hand. Close family also accompanied them. That day, Dan heard the loving voices of his thirteen grandchildren wish him goodbye. In many ways, his was an improbable, if not impossible, life story.

Dan grew up in relative poverty in Erie, PA, raised by a widowed mother, Mary Bertges. It could have been much different if not for her uncommon strength. Despite the odds, Mary cared for Dan and his sister, Joanne, and brothers, Dutch, Joe, and Dick “Zeke,” all who precede him in death. Older sister, Joanne Schloss, was there to keep him in line when Mom was working, and his brothers were his constant companions and truest friends. Zeke could be heard for years to come referring to him affectionately as “young Dan.” Joe once lived down the street, and Dan and Dutch shared professions. Separately, and often together, each of them became their own success stories.

Dan met Nancy Scalzitti, daughter of Italian immigrants, Joseph and Rachel Scalzitti, at Strong Vincent High School, and the two married in August of 1962. For over 57 years, they made a life together in Erie. Dan and Nancy gave their six children (Tammie Tullio, Danny Bertges, Todd Bertges, Tracy Pustover, Joe Bertges, and Rachel Piatt) a wonderful childhood filled with family and friends. This was a time in America where extended families lived close, and neighbors, aunts, uncles, and cousins were frequently found in the kitchen celebrating births, baptisms, birthdays, and holidays. Kids ran free in the Millcreek neighborhood, and the Bertges home was a gathering place where all were welcome. Unlike Dan, his children had bikes and a go-cart, a swing set, a sandbox, and a big back yard. He was there for the wrestling tournaments, soccer games, dance recitals, and graduations. They had their share of challenges but met them together with a sense of realism, balance, and humor only Dan could provide.
 

Dan was a used car salesman by trade and owned a successful auto dealership for many years in Erie. He treated people fairly and prided himself on reaching a deal where all could be happy. Long hours and greasy fingers were commonplace, but Dan did not complain. He was the first person to pull over and dig someone out of the snow in a winter blizzard. He disliked confrontation and preferred that we “take it easy” with life and with one another. This was his message, a lesson he learned from humble beginnings where nothing was taken for granted.
 
Dan enjoyed golf, playing cards, hunting camp, fishing on Lake Erie with John Dimattio, going to the club to “sign up” with Gary, Tim, and/or George, and “playing the number.” However, he never needed to win the lottery because his success was not tied to the dollar bill but measured in relationships, in friendships, and most of all, his wife and family. Dan was “Uncle Buck” to many in Erie and always ready to greet people with a smile, a story, or a joke. He especially valued friendships with Dr. Bob and Rosemary DiMasi, John and Joanie Koehler, Michael and Margaret Camera, and Don and Becky Hart. Dan is preceded in death by brother-in-law, Clem Scalzitti, and his wife Betty, who are survived by their children, Gary Scalzitti, Gayle Dieter, Pam Prylinski, and Nancy Hilbert.
 

Dan’s final years were marked by a battle with dementia that gradually stole his attention away from his family. Despite the awful disease, he remained pleasant and mindful of his wife and kids to the end. Dan’s children are forever indebted to their sister, Tracy, her husband, Joe Pustover, and their family who kept him at home, comfortable, safe, and loved until the very end with a commitment and devotion suitable to the man he was to all of them.

Dan loved and was loved by his sons-in-law, Michael, Joe, and Craig, and daughters-in-law, Kirsten, Cherilyn, and Leah. He was most proud of grandchildren, Rachel Tullio Jones, Sara Tullio, Jack Tullio, Jordan and Ryan Bertges, Phoenix, Foxx, and Sparrow Bertges, Joseph and Ava Pustover, and Brynn, Carsyn, and Maxim Piatt. The generations continue with two great grandchildren, Alice and Clara, daughters of Griffin and Rachel Tullio Jones.

And through them, Dan’s improbable story continues.

Family to receive friends on Sunday, March 1, 2026, between the hours of 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Monday, March 2, 2026, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at HERRICK COMPASSIONATE FUNERAL SERVICE, PC, Edward M. Herrick, Supervisor/Owner, 951 Cliff Mine Road, North Fayette Township, Imperial, PA, (724) 695-7332, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, March 2, 2026, at 11:30 a.m., at St. Columbkille R. C. Church of St. Isidore the Farmer Parish, 103 Church Road, Imperial, PA.

Dan did not want many flowers (and barely wanted a casket), so it is respectfully requested that donations in his memory be sent to the following:

AHN Hospice & Palliative Care. To give online, please go to: supportAHN.org/hospice. Checks made payable to ‘Allegheny Health Network’ with ‘AHN/Memory of Dan Bertges’ and can be mailed to: AHNOODEV Office of Development, PO BOX 535604, Pittsburgh, PA, 15253

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. To give online, please go to: https://www.cff.org/donate

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation/Breakthrough TD1. To give online, please go to: https://www.breakthrought1d.org

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