Jerome E. Scherer Jr.

Jerome “Jerry” Ernest Scherer Jr., 96, of Mt. Lebanon, passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, February 14, 2026 (Valentine’s Day), to rejoin his beloved wife, the late Nancy J. (Eckenrode) Scherer, who preceded him in death decades earlier.

A beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, innovator, lifelong learner, and cherished friend, Jerry was truly an original. He often described his wife Nancy as the best experience of his life and the children they raised together as his greatest accomplishment. His legacy is defined by his profound commitment to his family, expressed through his desire to share his wisdom, sense of adventure, grit, and playfulness. First and foremost, he was a teacher, preparing his children for the journey of life with all of its joy, randomness, and challenges.

Born and raised in Mt. Lebanon, Jerry was a proud member of the Mt. Lebanon High School Class of 1947 and one of its most dedicated champions. Over the decades, he organized numerous class reunions, including the 50th, and was later recognized by Mt. Lebanon Magazine for his unwavering commitment to keeping his classmates connected. He attended St. Bonaventure University and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1951. A proud patriot, Jerry served his country during the Korean War, an experience that shaped both his sense of duty and his civic spirit. He held a deep admiration for the upperclassmen who served before him in World War II.

An extraordinarily original thinker, Jerry’s creativity sparked innovation throughout his long and successful career in business. He began on the sales desk at GE Supply Company, became a Dictaphone sales representative, and later served as District Manager for 3M in Trenton, New Jersey, and New York City. In 1968, he returned to Pittsburgh to found Shemco, a quick printing company, and continued as an entrepreneur for decades. By 1979, he entered the remarketing of printing equipment with Graphtek, and later built Graphic Network, where he published a national trade magazine. His businesses were true family affairs, serving as a training ground where his children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews all learned the value of hard work by his side. Jerry retired at age 86 on his own terms, his energy for ideas still fully intact.

Charismatic, deeply social, and blessed with a golden tongue, Jerry had a profound love for people, children, and animals. Armed with a wicked sense of humor and his signature twinkle in his eye, he lived to dance, hit the gym to inspire his family, and connect with others. A deep listener who cherished his lifelong boyhood friends, he was a best and good friend to many. Terrifically proud to be from Pittsburgh, he truly loved Mt. Lebanon and his huge extended family with the Eckenrodes and the Goves.

He is survived by his loving children: Kathleen Synnott; Dr. Jerome (Rossana) Scherer; Michael (Cassie) Scherer; Trish Cavallo; Katie (Joe) Christman; Diane Seymour; and Patrick Scherer; as well as his son-in-law, Tom Taormina. He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Nancy Margaret Scherer.

He will be deeply missed by his grandchildren: Brendan (Kelley) Synnott; Jerome (Nadine) Scherer, Adrien (Kendra) Scherer, Tyler Scherer, Dr. Julia (Zachary) Godish, Talia (Micah) Markantone, Dr. Gabrielle (Weston) Banks, Maria Scherer, and Domenic Scherer; Zak Scherer, Eli (Ashley) Scherer, and Anna Scherer; Amy (Joseph) Serafini, Anthony (Bei Jiang) Taormina, and Nancy (Kameron) Ashker; Joseph (Katie) Christman and Kara (Luke) Hockensmith; Owen, Margaret, and Luke Vogel; and Patrick, Kane, and Anika Scherer.

His legacy also lives on in his great-grandchildren: Crosby, Nixon, Mazzy, and Desmond; Mila and Emilio; Austin and Sydney; Carmela and Rayna; Clara and Luisa; Lucas and Abigail; Roman and Joey; Aleah, Kaia, and Kameron; and Niall, Keira, and Dylan. He also deeply loved all of his nieces and nephews.

He left the world with the same warmth and spark that always lit his way. As a father, his greatest lessons of courage and work ethic were passed down not by words alone, but by his enduring example. Thanks, Dad, for organizing epic beach trips, Olympics in the neighborhood, volleyball at the beach on the island in front of the house, weight lifting in the backyard, hikes to Bowman's Tower, water polo in the pool, Tiger's Milk after the athletics, and luaus with the Great Danes on Sunday nights watching Disney.

Friends and family will be received for a viewing on Saturday, February 21, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Freyvogel-Slater Funeral Directors, 112 Fort Couch Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15241, (412) 835-1860. A private burial will immediately follow.

The family also warmly invites all to a Celebration of Life at St. Clair Country Club on Sunday, February 22. Please scan the QR code below or click the link here for further details:

[https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQwabMXGPxa8xQ2nKvlx6y1IaXntrbsZMeqQUOx5KvMqxEuU-OoRUPBNeXGSzjagwBgJ26_eTMx_V3O/pub]

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Mt. Lebanon Community Foundation, P.O. Box 24514, Pittsburgh, PA 15234.

www.slaterfuneral.com