Breaking: Rep. Gergely Passes at Age 45

Lt. Governor, others mourn loss of legislator, father of two

By Jason Togyer
The Tube City Almanac
January 19, 2025
Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

This is a developing story and will be updated.

(Courtesy photo)

State Rep. Matthew R. Gergely died Sunday at a Monroeville hospital, several weeks after suffering what had been described as a medical emergency. He was 45.

A former McKeesport city administrator and chief revenue officer, Gergely only two months ago was celebrating his election to his first full term as state legislator for the 35th District.

In addition to extended family, Gergely leaves a wife, Holly, and two children, Mason and Jarrett.

His death was announced by his former state house colleague, now state senator, Nick Pisciottano.

“It is with profound sadness that Molly and I share our prayers and deepest condolences with the Gergely family on the passing of my friend and colleague, Rep. Matthew R. Gergely,”  Pisciottano said in a statement Sunday night.

“Our hearts go out to his wife and two sons as they grieve the loss of a husband and father who frequently spoke fondly of the deep love he held for his family,” Pisciottano said. “Matt’s mark on the world will continue to endure in our memories of his service to his community and dedication to his family.”

State Rep. Matt Gergely (left) chats with then-state Rep. Nick Pisciottano during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the former McKeesport Daily News Building for Tube City Community Media’s new podcast studio. (Vickie Babyak photo for Tube City Almanac)

The 35th District includes the city, Clairton, Duquesne, Homestead, Liberty, Lincoln, Munhall, Port Vue, South Versailles Twp., Versailles, West Homestead, White Oak and parts of West Mifflin.

Gergely won a special election for the seat in February 2023 to fill the unexpired term of former state Rep. Austin Davis of McKeesport, who had been elected lieutenant governor.

“This election is not about me, at all,” he said. “It’s about the constituents of the 35th District and their issues and concerns. We are going to do everything in our power to address the addiction to crime and violence that unfortunately plagues our communities at times.”

During a podcast interview with Tube City Almanac in November 2024, Gergely described his sense of accomplishment that despite being a first-term legislator, he had introduced two bills that were signed into law during the 2023-24 session.

According to one report, only about 19 percent of all bills introduced by Pennsylvania legislators ever become laws.

Listen: State Rep. Matt Gergely on “Two Rivers, 30 Minutes”

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Filetype: MP3 - Size: 27.24MB - Duration: 29:45 m (128 kbps 44100 Hz)

“You really have to be willing to work with everybody,” Gergely told the Almanac. “You know, you can just wander around and just do the things you want, and speak all day on them, and how great they are, but if no one’s listening or no one’s willing to talk to you, or you’re not willing to talk to them, it’s not going to get done.”

In the same interview, Gergely decried the increasing level of partisanship in Harrisburg that he said had left some legislators on both sides of the political spectrum unwilling to talk to legislators on the other side — or even in the center.

“You have your more extreme left and your more extreme right, and then just Republicans and Democrats, so there are even conflicting things going on inside the parties right now, which makes it even more convoluted,” Gergely said.

“I hate to say it, but to the extent that (partisanship) has certainly increased, it’s frustrating, and you can’t have an open dialogue,” he said. “If you can’t have open dialogue then I don’t see how anybody can expect anything to get done, which isn’t true democracy.”

Gergely’s illness just before New Year’s Eve had caused an outpouring of support from constituents, allies and even political rivals. At this month’s McKeesport City Council meeting, the Rev. Gretchen Lowery of Bethlehem Baptist Church led council and the audience in prayer for Gergely and his family.

State Rep. Matt Gergely, center, speaks at the rededication of McKeesport’s Richard J. Gergely Riverfront Park in memory of his late uncle, a former city council member. (Tube City Almanac photo)

Mayor Michael Cherepko, a longtime friend who worked closely with Gergely during his time at the city, told city council and residents in attendance that the family appreciated the “overwhelming amount of messages and comments, and all of the well-wishes,” and that they had been shared with Gergely at the hospital.

Lt. Gov. Austin Davis said Sunday night that Gergely had “dedicated his entire life to public service.”

“I witnessed his service first hand as a McKeesport school official, city administrator, and finally as a state representative,” Davis said. “He was a tireless champion for working families in the Mon Valley. My heart goes out to his wife, Holly, his family, friends, and community. The Second Lady and I are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

Both state Democratic Party officials and local sources had declined to comment on Gergely’s illness, although several people familiar with the situation had described his condition as extremely serious.

According to multiple reports, Gergely had suffered an apparent seizure and collapsed at a White Oak business, where bystanders began cardio-pulmonary resuscitation before he was rushed by ambulance to the hospital.

“Matt’s unwavering commitment to the City of McKeesport, the Monongahela Valley communities he represented, and the people of Pennsylvania is a lasting example to all community leaders and elected officials,” Pisciottano said. “Above all else, he was focused on helping ordinary people lead better lives and ensuring the next generation have opportunities to succeed.

“I had the privilege to work with Matt as a friend and colleague for the last two years and saw firsthand his devotion to making his community better,” Pisciottano said. “His time in Harrisburg was one of the most impactful of any new legislator. I will miss his quick wit and the sly smile he delivered at the end of a joke.”

State Sen. Jay Costa of Forest Hills said he would miss Gergely “more than words can express.”

“A public servant to the very end, Rep. Gergely left an indelible mark on everyone who met him,” Costa said Sunday night. “McKeesport lost a terrific champion today. We wish his loved ones peace and comfort as they mourn his untimely passing. May his memory be a blessing.”

A graduate of McKeesport Area High School and Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Gergely served as city administrator from 2012 to 2017. Before working for the city, Gergely worked for the State Workers’ Insurance Fund.

From 2017 to 2020, Gergely served as business manager for McKeesport Area School District, then returned to the city as chief revenue officer before running for the 35th District seat that had been vacated by Davis.

An avid history buff, Gergely also served on the board of directors of McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center and had filled his McKeesport district office — located in the former McKeesport Daily News Building — with a collection of local artifacts, including a Daily News vending machine and newspaper carrier bag, and color prints of paintings by McKeesport based artist Jeff Madden.

Julian Calabro of McKeesport gets help with a form from State Rep. Matt Gergely during a license-plate replacement event in 2023. (Tube City Almanac photo)

In his November interview with Tube City Almanac, Gergely said he decided to move from working behind the scenes to running for office because he felt his experience would be valuable in the legislature.

“I enjoyed my job so much, but there are so many people around this community I wanted to help,” Gergely told the Almanac. Serving in the legislature “gives me an opportunity to work on a much bigger stage to do that.

“I know it sounds like a politician thing to say over here, but my father and uncle built up the family name, and I’ve always said there is no day I won’t work hard or ever let them down,” he said. “I wouldn’t do that to my family because this means so much to me, and I know what they put into the community.”

Originally published January 19, 2025.

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