A snapshot of Michael Werries, who spent his life photographing the Alle-Kiski Valley
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Take any sports event, emergency scene or community gathering in Springdale over the past 50-some years, and there’s a good chance Michael “Mick” Werries photographed it.
A devoted documentarian and diehard Dynamo, Werries started capturing football games after graduating from Springdale Jr.-Sr. High School in 1969 and never looked back. Over the years, he flashed a toothy smile at as many community events as possible, when it wasn’t hidden behind a camera.
Werries died Monday in Allegheny General Hospital after a monthlong battle with complications from a mediastinal esophageal hernia. He was 73.
Taking pictures of his hometown and the surrounding communities was the center of Werries’ life, according to his sister, Peggy Werries.
“That was his love: photography,” she said. “He was happiest when he was taking pictures.”
Werries graduated from Point Park University with a degree in journalism and contributed articles to the university’s alumni newsletter until his death.
Many of his photos appeared in the Tribune-Review, where he was a freelance contributor, and the Leader-Times, where he served as a longtime staff photographer and freelance contributor. He also worked for years at Qualex, a defunct photo processing plant in New Kensington, and Pittsburgh Glass Works in East Deer before its closing.
He would document concerts and wildlife for fun and scenes of emergencies for work. He would mix business and pleasure at all kinds of community events, such as the Springdale Volunteer Fire Department’s annual Jubilee Carnival.
Lifelong friend John Beale remembered Werries as a patient and pleasant mentor at the Leader-Times. Beale joined the paper in 1975 as a part-timer while in college and worked under the tutelage of Werries.
“(Photography) was the thread that connected him to the community,” Beale said. “It was the thread that connected him to other photographers.”
Seeing his name in the paper never got old for Werries, according to Joel Varga, president of the New Kensington Camera Club. He took particular pride in his relationship with local emergency responders.
“He was well known among the first responders in the area,” Varga said. “He established himself pretty well, and he prided himself on that.”
Werries monitored scanners around the clock for car crashes, house fires and other breaking news incidents. Emergency responders described Werries as committed to capturing the moment but sensitive enough to know his limits.
“He was there for everything, every emergency. I don’t care what time of day or night,” said Bruno Moretti, emergency management coordinator for the Allegheny Valley Regional Emergency Management Agency. “There will never be another Mike.”
Werries also was deeply involved with the Allegheny Valley School District, where he served as the “self-appointed school photographer,” Peggy Werries said, capturing sports scenes and senior photos whenever possible.
The Allegheny Valley School Board honored Werries on Tuesday night with a moment of silence.
Allegheny Valley Superintendent Pat Graczyk recalled one football game in particular that exemplified Werries’ commitment to his craft. From under his drenched Dynamos cap in the pouring rain, Werries spotted Graczyk in the crowd.
“As soon as he saw me, he filled me in on the previous day’s boys’ soccer match, smiling from ear to ear as if it was a sunny day,” Graczyk said. “I guess for him, in a way, it was because he was doing something he loved in the place he cherished.
“With Mick, it didn’t matter if it was snowing, freezing cold, unbearably humid or raining. We knew he would be there, cheering on his Dynamos, smiling and snapping photographs.”
Late in life, Werries fell in love with a fellow Dynamo, Pamela Moran. Werries and Moran had lost touch shortly after graduating but began dating three years ago after reconnecting on Facebook.
While Werries recovered from several surgeries in the hospital, the couple planned their wedding.
“It was pretty special,” Peggy Werries said. “Unfortunately, they didn’t grow old together like they planned to.”
Werries is survived by brothers David, Lawrence and Rich; sisters Mary Freudenrich, Kathy and Peggy; and four nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday at Charles B. Jarvie Funeral Home, 801 Pittsburgh St., in Springdale. Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Saturday in Our Lady of Victory Church, 1319 Low Grade Road, in Springdale Township.