In Memoriam: The People Pittsburgh Lost In 2024

PITTSBURGH, PA —Pittsburgh bid farewell to a host of prominent people with ties to the city in 2024. From former Pirates, Steelers and Penguins to well-known broadcasters and others, they touched a chord with the city and their loss was profound.

Among the departed:

January

• Mark Smilek, Sewickley police officer.

February

• Jose DeLeon, 63, former Pirates pitcher.

March

• Jim Roddey, 91, first Allegheny County chief executive.

• Ed Ott, 72, catcher for the 1979 world champion Pirates.

• Andy Russell, 82, played on two Super Bowl-winning teams for the Steelers.

• Konstantin Koltsov, 42, former Pittsburgh Penguin.

May

• Dr. Cyril Wecht, 93, nationally renowned forensic pathologist and former Allegheny County coroner.

• Dee Thompson, 84, former WPXI-TV news reporter and anchor.

• Phil Michael, WMBS-AM radio host.

June

• Gus Kalaris, 94, legendary Pittsburgh ice ball cart operator.

• Gillian Tones, 26, nurse who died while hiking in Glacier National Park in Montana.

• Robert Anderson, Central Catholic High School teacher.

• Rhys Taylor, Donora Volunteer Fire Company volunteer.

July

• Corey Comperatore, 50, former fire chief killed in the Butler County assassination attempt on Donald Trump.

• Jerry Haslett, 59, Pittsburgh high school championship winning coach.

• Tony Pais, 69, renowned Pittsburgh restaurateur.

• Tim McNulty, 54, Penguins executive, former newspaper reporter and Pittsburgh mayoral spokesman.

• Caleb "Cobra" Cornell, 41, owner of Kelly's Bar and Lounge in East Liberty.

August

• PJ Maloney, 77, former KQV-AM news anchor and Pittsburgh TV reporter and weather forecaster.

• Ed Helbig, 72, iconic Western Pennsylvania track and field coach.

• Michelle Peduto, former Diocese of Pittsburgh Catholic schools superintendent.

September

• Joe Schmidt, 92, former Pitt star and NFL Hall of Famer.

• Kyle Brinker, 33, Pittsburgh native and Kansas City firefighter.

October

• Anne Linaberger, former Pittsburgh radio and TV reporter.

November

• Brian Leri, 51, executive chef at Hoffstot's Cafe Monaco in Oakmont.

• Elaine Effort, former KQV-AM reporter.

December

• Chas Bonasorte, 69, Oakland Pitt sports apparel kiosk operator and member of Pitt's 1976 national championship team.

• Tony Parisi, 91, former Steelers equipment manager.

• Lara Borrasso, who twice won awards as Pittsburgh's best bartender.