The Rev. Jerome Pavlik was equally at home hearing confession, riding in squad cars and occupying an outfield seat at Yankee Stadium.

Father Pavlik, who was born in Clifton, N.J., was a lifelong New York Yankees fan and served as the chaplain for the Bellevue Police Department for the last four years of his life.

"I always asked him why he didn't adopt the Pirates," said Michael Bookser, chief of the police department. "But being from where he was, it wasn't going to happen."

Father Pavlik died Sunday at Vincentian Home of prostate cancer. He was 89.

Officer Ed Rogers said Father Pavlik listened to every Yankees game on satellite radio after entering the home in April and the two always had plenty to talk about.

Officer Rogers visited him every day.

"I made that vow to him," he said.

While Father Pavlik told stories of going to the ballpark to see Babe Ruth as a child and had an autographed picture of Joe DiMaggio, Derek Jeter was his favorite.

In June, Chief Bookser said the department contacted the Yankees to set up something special for the anniversary of Father Pavlik's ordination.

The team responded by sending all sorts of memorabilia.

"They knew him," Chief Bookser said. "The Franciscans had a mission near Broadway and a lot of the actors knew them. I assumed that's how he got in with the Yankees."

Father Pavlik joined the Order of Friars Minor in Paterson, N.J., in 1934 and was ordained in June 1943.

The Rev. David Moczulski, who lived with him off and on for about 20 years at Holy Family Friary in Pittsburgh, said Father Pavlik was very compassionate and outgoing.

"He was just as comfortable talking to a group of 500 as looking out his window and watching the birds or squirrels," Father Moczulski said.

In the mid-1960s, Father Pavlik helped build the St. Francis Retreat House in Easton, Northampton County. He served as retreat director for more than 20 years.

"He spared no expense or time to meet with people," said the Rev. Bill Reisteter, who worked with Father Pavlik at the retreat.

Father Pavlik also served as state chaplain for the Knights of Columbus in Pennsylvania and was supreme chaplain of the Slovak Catholic Sokol, a national position.

Chief Bookser said Father Pavlik, who preached in English and Slovak, was very well-known in his community and served at almost every Slovak parish in the country.

"If you know a Slovak who goes to church, they knew Father Jerome," he said.

Chief Bookser knew Father Pavlik from his work at St. Cyril of Alexandria Church on the North Side and made him the first chaplain of the Bellevue Police Department in 2003.

Officer Rogers, who called Father Pavlik his partner, said Father Pavlik was a comforting presence at crime scenes.

"He was a very compassionate man," Officer Rogers said. "It didn't matter what faith you were: If you needed him, he was there."

Chief Bookser said Father Pavlik acknowledged and celebrated the differences in people.

"I knew him earlier in life as a priest," Chief Bookser said, "And later in life as a friend."

Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today at the chapel of the School Sisters of St. Francis, Mount Assisi Convent, 934 Forest Ave., Bellevue. The Knights of Columbus will hold a wake at 7 p.m. A mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Mount Assisi. Burial will follow at Christ the Redeemer Cemetery.

Donations can be made to Holy Family Friary, 232 S. Home Ave., Pittsburgh 15202.