Michael Anthony Bertino, a well-known figure throughout the pest management industry, died Dec. 18, 2010, at Crystal Bluff Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Morehead City, N.C. He was 72.
BEAUFORT, N.C. – Michael Anthony Bertino, a well-known figure throughout the pest management industry, died Dec. 18, 2010, at Crystal Bluff Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Morehead City, N.C. He was 72.
Born in Coney Island, N.Y. in 1938, Bertino had a successful pest control career that spanned many decades. A graduate of the State University of New York at Farmingdale and the University of Georgia, he was a Board Certified Entomologist who was active in the National Pest Control Association, UPF&DA, and Pi Chi Omega, the industry’s professional fraternity. In addition, he served as President of York Chemical Company, Garden City Park, N.Y., before joining B&G Equipment Co. later in his career.
He was a member of St. Egbert Catholic Church where he additionally held membership in the Knights of Columbus. Through the Knights of Columbus, Bertino was instrumental in establishing the Star of the Sea Scholarship Fund at St. Egbert Catholic School.
Upon learning of his passing, former NPMA President Norm Cooper said, “I had the great privilege and joy of knowing Mike Bertino for six decades. He was always eager to be helpful, always a gentleman and always in good spirits. The pest control profession was better for having been blessed by his presence in our midst.”
Cisse Spragins, president of Pi Chi Omega and Rockwell Labs, added, “I enjoyed seeing Mike at tradeshows in Europe in the mid-90s when he was representing B&G Equipment. He was always a wonderful person, and a lot of fun to be around.”
Survivors include his wife, Lorna L. Bertino; daughters, Carmela L. Agraz of Dallas, Texas, and Kathryn A. Lee of Forest Hills, N.Y.; a son, Michael Anthony Bertino Jr., of Long Island, N.Y.; sister, Annmarie Cardinale of Ft. Myers, Fla.; brother, Anthony T. Bertino of Cocoa, Fla.; and six grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Star of the Sea Scholarship Fund, St. Egbert Catholic School, 1705 Evans Street, Morehead City, NC 28557 or to the Pi Chi Omega Scholarship Fund, Attention: Vern Toblan, P. O. Box 8149, Wilmington, DE 19803-9997.