In Memoriam: The People Pittsburgh Lost In 2021

PITTSBURGH, PA —Pittsburgh bid farewell to a host of prominent people with ties to the city in 2021. From former Pirates and Steelers to the beloved widow of Fred Rogers, they touched a chord with Pittsburgh and their loss was profound.

Among the departed:

January

• Tim Lester, 52, former Steelers running back, COVID-19.

• Jean Connelly,97, former WTAE-TV talk show host.

• Joanne Rogers, 92, widow of Fred Rogers of "Mr. Rogers Neighbohood" fame.

February

• Grant Jackson, 78, pitcher on the Pirates 1979 World Series championship team, COVID-19.

• Anne Feeney, 69, singer-songwriter and political activist, COVID-19.

• Jimmy Sapienza, 71, the lead singer of the local band Five Gus Named Moe, kidney disease.

• Rush Limbaugh, 70, conservative talk show host and former KQV-AM disc jockey, lung cancer.

• Bob Kudzma, 81, former KDKA-TV meteorologist.

• John DeFazio, 80, former professional wrestler and Allegheny County council member.

March

• Ron Jaye, 86, former WPXI-TV anchor.

April

• Phil Coyne, 102, a Pittsburgh Pirates stadium usher for more than 70 years.

• Cary Pall, 69, former 13Q disc jockey.

• Rennie Stennet, 72, former Pittsburgh Pirates infielder.

May

• Greg Eide, 69, owner of Eide's Entertainment, Downtown, COVID-19.

• The Rev. Dennis Benson, 85, talk show host at WDVE-FM, KQV-FM and WQED-TV.

June

• Caleb James, 58, former WHTX-FM disc jockey.

• Edward Carmack, 49, University of Pittsburgh police officer, cancer.

• Kate Barr, 39, Bridgeville mother who gave birth the day after her COVID-19 diagnosis.

July

• Nicole Doran-Manashirov,43, a Pittsburgh native killed in the Surfside, FL condominium collapse.

• Ricki Wertz, 86, longtime host of WTAE-TV's "Junior High Quiz."

• Lee Weber, Pittsburgh firefighter who died saving his son, drowning.

August

• Richard Trumka, 72, AFL-CIO president.

September

• Tunch Ilkin, 63, former Steelers player and broadcaster, ALS.

• Robert Gump, 73, the Mall at Robinson's longtime Santa.

• Dr. Freddie Fu, 70, acclaimed UPMC orthopaedic surgeon.

• Howard Hanna, 101, Pittsburgh real estate magnate.

• Brian Rowland, Pittsburgh police officer, COVID-19.

October

• Steve Kopy, 53, owner of Kopy's bar in the South Side, COVID-19.

• Richard Howe, 51, Pittsburgh police officer, COVID-19.

• Louis Vignone, U.S. Postal Service worker, shot to death on the job.

November

• Timothy Werner, 49, Pittsburgh police officer, COVID-19.

• Bill Franceschini, 63, popular East End bartender.

• Charles Moffatt, 80, former Allegheny County police superintendent.

• Anne Scarpaci,86, owner of Scarpaci's tavern in Mt. Washington.

• Bill Virdon, 90, former Pittsburgh Pirates player and manager.

December

• Mark Davis, West Allegheny High School rugby club coach.
• Kimera Bartee, 49, former Pittsburgh Pirates coach.

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