Obituary Stories category
Jason Collins, NBA’s 1st openly gay player, dies at 47 of brain tumor
Jason Collins, the NBA’s first openly gay player who went on to become a pioneer for inclusion and an ambassador for the league, has died after an eight-month battle with an aggressive form of a brain tumor, his family announced Tuesday. Collins spent 13 years as a player in the...
Craig Morton, 1st quarterback to start Super Bowl for 2 teams, dies at 83
DENVER — Craig Morton, who spent 18 years in the NFL and became the first quarterback to start the Super Bowl for two franchises — the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos — has died. He was 83. Morton died Saturday in Mill Valley, Calif., the Broncos confirmed through his family....
‘A life well lived’: Noted hairstylist Arnold Zegarelli dies at 89
Dressed impeccably in a fitted suit, a crisp, clean shirt, tie and sharp dress shoes, Arnold Zegarelli created a presence in the salon. And as one of the best-known hairstylists in Pittsburgh and beyond, he stood the test of time in the beauty industry. The nationally recognized stylist died Saturday...
Gail Klingensmith, co-owner of Pamela’s Diner for nearly a half century, has died
Gail Klingensmith, co-owner of Pamela’s Diner, a Pittsburgh institution for well over four decades, has died. Pamela Cohen, who founded the local chain with Klingensmith 46 years ago, took to Facebook to make a public remembrance on Tuesday morning: “Today, I lost my business partner, best friend and my ‘sister.’...
Abe Foxman, advocate for American Jews as longtime head of Anti-Defamation League, dies at 86
NEW YORK — Abraham H. Foxman, who was a forceful advocate for American Jews as national director of the Anti-Defamation League for nearly three decades, has died, the ADL said Sunday. He was 86. The ADL said in a statement that it “deeply mourns the loss of our longtime national...
Joni Lamb, who started of one of the largest Christian TV networks, has died
Joni Lamb, who with her late husband founded the Daystar Television Network and guided it to become one of the world’s largest Christian TV networks, died Thursday. She was 65. Lamb, the network’s president, had been suffering from serious health issues before sustaining a back injury that caused her health...
CNN founder Ted Turner, a brash and outspoken television pioneer, has died at age 87
NEW YORK — Ted Turner, the brash and outspoken television pioneer who created a media empire and transformed the news business by creating CNN and introducing the 24-hour cable news cycle, died Wednesday. He was 87. He died surrounded by his family, according to Turner Enterprises, the company that oversees...
Penn State football team doctor dies at 68 after decades of serviceVideo
Dr. Wayne Sebastianelli, who served as the Penn State football team doctor for the better part of four decades, has passed away, Penn State University confirmed on Tuesday. Sebastianelli was best known for his time working with the late Joe Paterno. Sebastianelli was also Penn State’s team doctor for a...
Alex Zanardi, auto racing champ who won Paralympic golds between life-altering accidents, dies at 59
ROME — Alex Zanardi, the Italian auto racing champion-turned-Paralympic gold medalist whose career was marked by two life-altering accidents, has died. He was 59. Zanardi’s family announced his death on Saturday, saying that he passed away on Friday night. “Alex died peacefully, surrounded by the affection of those closest to...
Gerry Conway, comic book writer who co-created Punisher character in Spider-Man, dies at 73
Gerry Conway, a renowned comic book writer who helped create characters and stories for Marvel and DC, including the Punisher character in the Spider-Man comics, has died. He was 73. In a Monday statement announcing his death, Marvel described Conway as a legendary comic book writer with a prolific career....
David Allan Coe, who wrote ‘Take This Job and Shove It’ and other country hits, dies at 86
David Allan Coe, the country singer-songwriter who wrote the working class anthem “Take This Job and Shove It″ and had hits with “You Never Even Called Me By My Name” and “The Ride” among others, has died. He was 86. Coe’s wife, Kimberly Hastings Coe, confirmed his death to Rolling...
Nedra Talley Ross, last surviving member of the 1960s bee-hived pop band the Ronettes, dies
NEW YORK — Nedra Talley Ross, the last surviving member of the 1960s bee-hived pop band the Ronettes, who sang the enduring hits “Be My Baby,” “Baby I Love You” and “Walking in the Rain” alongside her cousins, has died. She was 80. Ross died at home Sunday, according to...
Monte Coleman, who won 3 Super Bowls as a Washington linebacker, dies at 68
PINE BLUFF, Ark. — Monte Coleman, the hard-nosed linebacker who won three Super Bowls with Washington and later coached Arkansas-Pine Bluff to a conference championship, has died. He was 68. UAPB and the Commanders announced his death Sunday. No cause of death was disclosed. “Monte Coleman was one of the...
Michael Tilson Thomas, renowned conductor and composer, dies at 81
Michael Tilson Thomas, a leading American conductor for a half-century who headed orchestras in Buffalo, Miami, London and San Francisco while also composing, died Wednesday. He was 81. Tilson Thomas had surgery for a brain tumor in 2021 and resumed his career, then said in February 2025 the tumor had...
Late TribLive reporter remembered by colleagues
Former TribLive reporter William P. Modoono, known by colleagues for his exceptional writing and lighthearted nature, died in his home April 12 at age 77. Modoono, born in June 1948 in Malden, Mass., covered sports for The Pittsburgh Press and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review before becoming a senior writer for UPMC...
Dave Mason, co-founder of Traffic known for ‘We Just Disagree’ and ‘Feelin’ Alright,’ dies at 79Video
NEW YORK — Dave Mason — the co-founder of the psychedelic British band Traffic, songwriter behind classic rock hits “Feelin’ Alright” and “Hole in My Shoe,” and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer — died Sunday at his home in Gardnerville, Nevada. He was 79. His death was confirmed by...
Rep. David Scott, a Georgia Democrat seeking a 13th term in Congress, dies at age 80
ATLANTA — U.S. Rep. David Scott, a Georgia Democrat and the first Black chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, has died. He was 80. Scott, who was seeking his 13th term in Congress despite challenges from within his party, was once a leading voice for Democrats on issues related to...
Patrick Muldoon, ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘Melrose Place’ actor, dies at 57
Patrick Muldoon, known for his roles on “Days of Our Lives,” “Melrose Place” and “Starship Troopers,” has died. He was 57. The actor and producer reportedly died Sunday, his manager confirmed to Variety. According to Deadline, Muldoon died suddenly after a heart attack. The Times has reached out to Muldoon’s...
Former players remember Springdale coaching great Dave Meloni
Skip Yakopec’s introduction to varsity soccer at Springdale came as a freshman in 1968. “We had a game early in the season at Sewickley Academy, and I was only in ninth grade and was on the junior high team,” he said. “But coach (Dave) Meloni invited me to come on...
Sid Krofft, ‘H.R. Pufnstuf’ creator and children’s TV visionary, dies at 96
NEW YORK — Sid Krofft, the Canadian-born entertainment wizard who teamed with his brother and fellow puppeteer Marty Krofft to create such cult favorites as children’s 1960s TV show “H.R. Pufnstuf,” has died at age 96. Krofft’s death, which came three years after the death of Marty Krofft, was announced...
Pirates World Series champion Phil Garner dies at 76
Phil Garner, the second baseman known as “Scrap Iron” for his rugged style of play and a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ World Series championship team in 1979, died of cancer Saturday. The Pirates confirmed Garner’s passing in Woodlands, Texas. Garner was 76. “Phil Garner was a fierce competitor, a...
Hip-hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa dies at 68
Afrika Bambaataa, a man widely considered one of the main pioneers of hip-hop, died on Thursday in Pennsylvania of prostate cancer, according to his lawyer. He was 68. Bambaataa’s sudden death was met with an outpouring of condolences from friends, family and fans across the world, who paid tribute to...
Legendary mountaineer Jim Whittaker, the 1st American to summit Mount Everest, dies at 97
SEATTLE — The celebrated mountaineer Jim Whittaker, the first American to summit Mount Everest, has died. He was 97. Whittaker, who also served as the first full-time employee of the outdoor retailer REI and later as its president and CEO, died Tuesday at his home in Port Townsend, Washington, according...
Dodgers great Davey Lopes, an infield fixture and record-setting base stealer, dies at 80
LOS ANGELES — Davey Lopes, a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ record-setting infield of the 1970s and ’80s and one of baseball’s premier base stealers, died Wednesday. He was 80. The Dodgers were informed of his death in Rhode Island by his former wife, Lin Lopes. Lopes was a...
Auto pioneer Gary Bowser dies at 81
Family members recalled Gary Bowser as an automotive titan who never forgot his humble beginnings. Bowser of Murrysville died peacefully surrounded by family March 28 after a brief illness. He was 81. “He was originally from Kittanning, and he never forgot where he came from,” said Bowser’s son, Gary. “He...
