Montclair Mourns For Yogi Berra

“When you get to a fork in the road, take it.”

Recognize this famous Yogi Berra maxim?

According to Montclair town officials, the saying was how the late Yogi Berra told his friend Joe Garagiola to get to the Yankee legend’s home in Montclair.

The now infamous fork – located at the corner of Edgewood Road and Edgewood Terrace – has since been memorialized as “Yogi Berra Way.” But the recently deceased hometown hero has deeper ties with the town than just a street corner.

• Read the full Patch obituary: Yankees Icon Yogi Berra Dies At 90

As the news spread about Hall of Fame catcher and longtime Montclair resident Yogi Berra’s death on Wednesday, officials and baseball fans throughout the township expressed their sadness about his passing.

“Montclair mourns the loss of hometown hero, Yankee legend Yogi Berra, who passed away late last night at the age of 90… Yogi and wife Carmen resided in Montclair for nearly 40 years,” the township stated in a release.

“I am dee‎ply saddened by the loss of Mr. Berra and my heartfelt condolences go out to his wonderful family,” said Mayor Robert Jackson. “War hero, legend, gentleman, and patriarch apply but are woefully inadequate. We love you Mr. Berra. Rest in peace.”

Other Montclair groups and organizations expressed condolences via social media.

The Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center – which broke the news of Berra’s passing via Facebook – wrote:

“It is with a profound sense of loss and heartfelt sorrow that the Board of Directors of the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center shares the news that Yogi Berra has passed away. Yogi conducted his life with unwavering integrity, humility and a contagious good humor that elevated him from baseball legend to beloved national icon.”

“Montclair’s own,” wrote the Upper Montclair Business Association. “Yogi you are missed. God bless.”

“Oh Yogi...we will miss you,” the Montclair Historical Society stated.

The Montclair Ambulance Unit wrote:

“[We mourn] the passing of long time Montclair resident, MAU supporter and Baseball Hall of Famer, Yogi Berra. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Berra family today as we remember a true American icon, baseball legend and friend. Godspeed Yogi.....thanks for the memories.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Essex, Hudson and Union Counties sent its sincerest condolences for Berra’s passing:

“We thank him, his family and Dave Kaplan at the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center for the wonderful scholarships and support to the kids in our program throughout the years. Rest in peace, Mr. Berra.”

The Montclair Salvation Army Citadel shared an unaired video of Yogi and his wife Carmen shot in 2011 in support of their organization.

“The Montclair State University community joins countless fans and admirers in mourning the passing of Lawrence ‘Yogi’ Berra,” university officials wrote.

REMEMBERING YOGI

• White House To Yogi Berra: It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over
• 8 Top ‘Yogi-isms’ From ‘The Great No. 8,’ Baseball’s Yogi Berra
• Yogi Berra’s Montclair Home On the Market for $888K

Photo caption: An Essex County baseball fan meets Yogi Berra at Henry’s Fine Foods In Verona in 2007.