OBITUARIES


Obituary: Ken Venturi / U.S. Open champ, CBS sports analyst

Obituary: Ken Venturi / U.S. Open champ, CBS sports analyst

2013-05-18 00:10:47

Golfer who was recently inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame won the 1964 U.S. Open and spent 35 years in the TV broadcast booth


Obituary: Jorge Rafael Videla / Military leader oversaw Argentina's 'dirty war'

2013-05-18 00:07:20

The junta leader oversaw a ruthless campaign of political killings and forced disappearances to quell dissidents.


Obituary: Robert T. Crothers / Lawyer specializing in family planning

2013-05-18 00:06:16

Longtime partner in Washington, Pa., firm died following a stroke.


Obituary: John H. Stafford / Notre Dame advocate and family man

2013-05-17 00:14:59

With a passion for football and family, John H. Stafford lives on through a local academic scholarship to Notre Dame that bears his name.


Obituary: Johnny Garneau / Popular restaurateur, inventor celebrated trains

2013-05-17 00:09:14

The restaurateur behind Golden Spike, Johnny Garneau's American Style Smorgasbord and The Beanery died Tuesday. He was 90.


Obituary: Chuck Muncie / Uniontown native and NFL great

Obituary: Chuck Muncie / Uniontown native and NFL great

2013-05-15 05:47:37

Muncie, who played for New Orleans and San Diego from 1976 to 1984, died Tuesday in Los Angeles of heart failure.


Obituary: Janet Thompson / Former Pittsburgh teacher, principal

2013-05-15 00:04:12

Janet Thompson, whose tenure included serving as principal of Schaeffer, Regent Square and Clayton elementary schools, died at age 74.


Obituary: Giuseppe 'Joe' Aiello / Squirrel Hill's beloved pizza man

Obituary: Giuseppe 'Joe' Aiello / Squirrel Hill's beloved pizza man

2013-05-14 14:26:44

Giuseppe "Joe" Aiello, who created award-winning pies with fresh toppings and ingredients, died at age 71.


Obituary: James L. Tolbert / Lawyer who pressed Hollywood, advertisers on civil rights

2013-05-14 00:12:25

His NAACP campaign in 1963 pushed Hollywood and Madison Avenue for greater representation of black people on-screen and in craft unions.


Obituary: James R. Lauffer / A respected banker and generous person

2013-05-14 00:08:25

James R. Lauffer, chairman, president and CEO of the First National Bank of Herminie from 1971 to 2001, died at age 73.


Obituary: Christian de Duve / Acclaimed cell biologist

2013-05-13 00:11:38

His discoveries about the internal workings of cells shed light on genetic disorders like Tay-Sachs disease.


Obituary: Ottavio Missoni / Italian designer made colorful, zigzag patterns high fashion

2013-05-13 00:05:50

His designs were so easily recognizable, and recognizably expensive, that they conveyed a peculiar social currency among the moneyed elite.


Obituary: John Smith / Longtime mayor of Mount Oliver

2013-05-13 00:03:23

John W. Smith Sr., the municipality's longtime mayor, worked tirelessly to make Mount Oliver the center of the universe.


Obituary: Jack Butler: Steelers cornerback, Pro Football Hall of Fame member

Obituary: Jack Butler: Steelers cornerback, Pro Football Hall of Fame member

2013-05-12 00:21:19

Jack Butler, driven from the NFL in his ninth season by a knee injury while playing for the Steelers at Forbes Field, died Saturday at 85.


Obituary: Frederic Franklin / Ballet dancer was inspiration for George Balanchine, Agnes de Mille

2013-05-11 00:09:51

His attention to detail, sharp memory and extensive experience with key choreographers and dancers made him suited to serve as a coach.


Obituary: Otis Bowen / Former Indiana governor was a crusader against AIDS

2013-05-11 00:02:05

Under President Ronald Reagan, Otis Bowen led efforts to respond to the AIDS crisis. He died at age 95.


Obituary: Bernard Reynolds / Former North Irwin police chief, longtime councilman was community fixture

Obituary: Bernard Reynolds / Former North Irwin police chief, longtime councilman was community fixture

2013-05-11 00:02:05

Former North Irwin police chief and longtime councilman Bernard Reynolds died Thursday at age 80.


Obituary: George M. Leader / Former Pennsylvania governor, founder of retirement communities

Obituary: George M. Leader / Former Pennsylvania governor, founder of retirement communities

2013-05-10 00:09:11

Former Gov. George M. Leader, who headed Pennsylvania's government from 1955 to 1959, died Thursday.


Obituary: Herbert D. Gordon / Ad executive shepherded Yellow Pages through changes

2013-05-10 00:04:32

Herbert Gordon, whose advertising career began in 1965 as a trainee at Ketchum, MacLeod & Grove, died at age 74.


Former Pennsylvania governor Leader dies at 95

Former Pennsylvania governor Leader dies at 95

2013-05-09 13:54:31

George M. Leader, who rose from his parents' chicken farm to become Pennsylvania's governor in 1955, died Thursday.


Obituary: Jeanne Cooper / 'Young and Restless' loses its grand dame

Obituary: Jeanne Cooper / 'Young and Restless' loses its grand dame

2013-05-09 00:20:12

Jeanne Cooper, the enduring soap opera star who played grande dame Katherine Chancellor for nearly four decades, has died. She was 84.


Obituary: Virginia S. Cowell / Helped preschoolers despite battling own health problems

2013-05-09 00:10:03

Virginia Cowell worked with preschoolers with emotional and behavioral problems.


Obituary: Robert Stumpp / Devoted himself to those in need

Obituary: Robert Stumpp / Devoted himself to those in need

2013-05-08 00:05:25

A Catholic convert who cared for the poor through a career in Allegheny County government has died.


Obituary: Louise Poulos Pelaia / Dancing was all she ever wanted to do or teach

2013-05-07 00:16:32

Louise Pelaia touched many lives as a dance instructor at her own school. She died Friday at age 77.


Obituary: David Morris Kern / Pharmaceutical career led to his creating Orajel

2013-05-07 00:15:18

His toothache medicine was also used to treat mouth sores.


Obituary: Giulio Andreotti / Complex seven-time prime minister of Italy

Obituary: Giulio Andreotti / Complex seven-time prime minister of Italy

2013-05-07 00:14:05

Giulio Andreotti, a seven-time prime minister of Italy, died Monday. He was 94 and lived in Rome.


Obituary: Tom Knapp / Clay target trick shooter

2013-05-07 00:05:42

Tom Knapp, an exhibition shotgun virtuoso who broke world records and dazzled crowds with his effortless precision, died April 26.


Obituary: Mike Gray / Author, screenwriter of 'China Syndrome'

2013-05-06 00:12:18

Mike Gray, a writer and filmmaker who tackled thorny contemporary issues in his work, died at age 77.


Obituary: Emil Frei III / Oncologist brought cancer cures within reach

2013-05-06 00:06:36

Emil Frei III, whose trailblazing use of combination chemotherapy helped make certain cancers curable for the first time, died at age 89.


Obituary: Jeff Hanneman / Guitarist for influential metal band Slayer

Obituary: Jeff Hanneman / Guitarist for influential metal band Slayer

2013-05-06 00:03:01

Jeff Hanneman, who helped shape the group's sonic assault and wrote some of its most popular and controversial songs, died at age 49.


Obituary: Philip M. Stehle / Pitt physics prof worked on Manhattan Project

2013-05-05 00:25:32

Philip Stehle did scholarly research in quantum optics at the University of Pittsburgh.


Obituary: William J. McCarthy IV / Shenango officer killed in line of duty

2013-05-05 00:01:39

William McCarthy died when a driver who refused to pull over for police crashed into his cruiser.


Obituary: William Fitzgerald / He made exotic travel his business

Obituary: William Fitzgerald / He made exotic travel his business

2013-05-04 00:17:15

Mike Fitzgerald, cofounder and CEO of sporting travel agency Frontiers Travel, instilled love of travel in family.


Obituary: Marlene Becker Katz / Artist's Upper St. Clair land became an animal sanctuary

Obituary: Marlene Becker Katz / Artist's Upper St. Clair land became an animal sanctuary

2013-05-04 00:17:01

Marlene Becker Katz, whose lifelong love of nature was reflected in her many paintings, died Monday.


Obituary: William C. Cox Jr. / Dow Jones heir who sold to Murdoch

2013-05-04 00:06:13

William C. Cox Jr. was the patriarch of the Bancroft clan that controlled Dow Jones & Co. for 105 years.


Obituary: Colleen McGuire / Worked 42 years for local MS Society chapter

2013-05-03 00:05:40

Colleen Mary McGuire was just 18 when she started as a bookkeeper for the nonprofit advocacy group and stayed for 42 years. She died at 62.


Obituary: John C. Reynolds / Computer science professor at CMU

2013-05-03 00:01:37

John C. Reynolds, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon since 1986, died at age 77.


Obituary: Herman 'Chip' Kamin / Gifted athlete was always up for a tough challenge

Obituary: Herman 'Chip' Kamin / Gifted athlete was always up for a tough challenge

2013-05-02 12:00:25

Chip Kamin, who had a hard-earned reputation for challenging himself in extreme conditions, died at age 62.


Obituary: Robert J. Wampler / McKeesport fixture known for flowers

2013-05-02 11:59:20

Robert Wampler "was always happier in McKeesport," said his son Robert. "He thought it was the best place in the world to live."


Obituary: Janos Starker / A master cellist of the 20th century

2013-05-01 00:11:07

Janos Starker, one of the 20th century's most renowned cellists, has died at age 88.


Obituary: Steven Mamula Jr. / Ran successful insurance agency in Carnegie

2013-05-01 00:09:59

Steven Mamula created the Mamula Insurance Agency in Carnegie, a one-agent operation that provided home, life and property insurance.


Obituary: Gloria McDermott Hickton / Realtor known for forming network of friendships

Obituary: Gloria McDermott Hickton / Realtor known for forming network of friendships

2013-04-30 00:12:19

Gloria McDermott Hickton died Saturday in St. Clair Hospital.


Obituary: Conway Keibler / Methodist minister dedicated to Pittsburgh sports

2013-04-30 00:10:14

The United Methodist pastor witnessed the Mazeroski home run and Immaculate Reception.


Obituary: David Mooney / Outstanding athlete at Mount Union College, Turtle Creek High

2013-04-29 00:18:39

David Mooney, an accomplished high school athlete, died Saturday.


Obituary: Leo Branton Jr. / Lawyer for prominent activists

2013-04-29 00:11:42

A California lawyer whose closing argument in 1972 helped persuade an all-white jury to acquit a black communist, has died.


Obituary: Edward de Grazia / Lawyer who fought censorship

2013-04-29 00:08:02

Edward de Grazia, a lawyer and teacher, died April 11 in Potomac, Md.


Obituary: Alan Wood / Provided American flag in Iwo Jima

2013-04-29 00:06:50

Naval officer played supporting role in iconic World War II photo of flag raising on Mount Suribachi.


Obituary: Sue Garnhart / Upper St. Clair piano teacher put her students first

2013-04-28 00:23:01

In the week before her death Sue Garnhart had begun coughing often and sometimes struggling to breathe. But not when she was teaching piano.


Obituary: E.L. Konigsburg / Novelist had knack of catering to youth

2013-04-28 00:14:37

Her books, two of which won the Newberry Medal, reveal an uncommon understanding of young people.


Obituary: George Jones / Country music icon had dramatic voice, life

Obituary: George Jones / Country music icon had dramatic voice, life

2013-04-27 03:25:24

In a career that spanned six decades, George Jones put 167 records on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and won two Grammy Awards.


Obituary: Robert G. Monsour / Family physician, part of family that built Westmoreland hospital

2013-04-27 00:13:17

Robert G. Monsour was an old-fashioned physician and the patriarch of a quartet of Syrian brothers who built the Monsour Medical Center.


Obituary: Bob Perry / Big backer of 'Swift Boat' ads that helped sway 2004 election

2013-04-27 00:04:49

Bob Perry, a homebuilder who became one of the largest Republican campaign donors in Texas and eventually the nation, died at age 80.


Obituary: George M. Banky Sr. / Baldwin High basketball coach was father figure to his players

2013-04-27 00:02:48

George Banky, former boys basketball coach at Baldwin High School, died Wednesday at UPMC Montefiore in Oakland. He was 83.


Country singer George Jones dies at 81

Country singer George Jones dies at 81

2013-04-26 11:32:25

The hard-living singer was known for hit songs like "He Stopped Loving Her Today."


Obituary: Robert Edgar / Member of Congress, head of Common Cause

2013-04-26 00:13:09

The Pennsylvania Democrat's 1986 challenge for Arlen Specter's U.S. Senate seat was unsuccessful.


Obituary: Paolo Soleri / Architect of prototype city in Arizona desert

2013-04-26 00:10:47

The one-time apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright envisioned a marriage of architecture and ecology.


Obituary: Gary L. Lancaster / First black chief judge in U.S. court here

Obituary: Gary L. Lancaster / First black chief judge in U.S. court here

2013-04-26 00:06:10

Judge Lancaster was the head administrator for the district, advising the other judges and overseeing budgets and personnel. He was 63.


Obituary: Hugo G. Nutini / Well-traveled student, teacher, Mexico expert

2013-04-25 00:19:03

University of Pittsburgh professor Hugo G. Nutini was one of the great anthropologists studying Mexico of the 20th century. He died at 84.


Obituary: Claudia Gallant / Sewickley Academy administrator with knack for energizing people

2013-04-24 00:08:51

Claudia Gallant was a "master of letting everybody contribute and everybody having a voice," said a colleague.


Obituary: Autumn Marie Klein / Pioneer in neurological diseases during pregnancy, 'caring' doctor

Obituary: Autumn Marie Klein / Pioneer in neurological diseases during pregnancy, 'caring' doctor

2013-04-24 00:01:14

The pioneering neurologist specialized in pregnancy and was one of the few experts in a field she helped create.


Obituary: August J. Carlino / Longest-acting ward chairman in Pittsburgh's history

2013-04-23 00:06:09

For Auggie Carlino, there was always just one more election to work before he could quit. He died of cancer at age 84.


Obituary: Hilary Koprowski / Developed first viable oral polio vaccine

2013-04-22 00:09:59

His oral vaccine preceded Jonas Salk's injected variety but was never approved for use in the United States.


Obituary: Charles R. Ream / W&J football coach with a can-do attitude

2013-04-22 00:08:54

Chuck Ream, a former W&J football coach and educator, has died at 84.


Obituary: Frank Bank / Played Lumpy on TV's 'Leave It to Beaver'

2013-04-22 00:08:29

Frank Bank, who as Clarence "Lumpy" Rutherford served as the dim-witted foil to "Beaver" Cleaver, died Saturday.


Obituary: George Beverly Shea / Billy Graham's Grammy-winning gospel singer

2013-04-21 00:22:55

Grammy award-winning gospel singer appeared at revival meetings for more than half a century.


Obituary: William O. Burchinal / Enjoyed playing a zombie in 'Night of the Living Dead'

2013-04-21 00:12:02

William Burchinal may be remembered longest for playing a zombie in 1968 cult classic horror film "Night of the Living Dead."


Obituary: Daniel A. Pietragallo Sr. / Advocate for low-income residents, headed city housing agency

Obituary: Daniel A. Pietragallo Sr. / Advocate for low-income residents, headed city housing agency

2013-04-20 00:21:07

Daniel A. Pietragallo Sr., former executive director of the Pittsburgh Housing Authority, died Wednesday.


Obituary: Mae Louise Allen Mays / Willie Mays' wife, Pitt graduate

Obituary: Mae Louise Allen Mays / Willie Mays' wife, Pitt graduate

2013-04-20 00:20:18

Mae Mayswa was the wife of the Giants' legend for 41 years.


Obituary: Robert Perloff / University of Pittsburgh professor, father of consumer psychology

2013-04-20 00:19:54

Robert Perloff was a distinguished academic. He also was a tireless, ardent, prolific writer of letters and touching essays, many in the PG.


Obituary: Al Neuharth / USA Today founder who changed the look of American newspapers

Obituary: Al Neuharth / USA Today founder who changed the look of American newspapers

2013-04-20 00:12:36

Al Neuharth, the founder of USA Today, died Friday at age 89.


Obituary: David W. Hunter / Investment firm founder, Nasdaq chairman

Obituary: David W. Hunter / Investment firm founder, Nasdaq chairman

2013-04-19 00:12:07

David Hunter, who worked at many brokerage and investment firm before founding his own company, died at age 84.


Obituary: Richard H. Smith / Pittsburgh Public Schools teacher, principal

2013-04-19 00:07:16

Richard H. Smith, who worked in Pittsburgh Public Schools and as an organist at several churches, died at age 77.


Obituary: Andrew T. Panchura / B-24 bomber pilot became 'Flying Dentist'

2013-04-16 00:17:32

Andrew Panchura, orthodontist, World War II veteran, father of six and member of the "Flying Dentists," died Thursday at the age of 89.


Obituary: Deanne Barkley / Pioneering TV executive in 1970s

2013-04-15 00:13:54

Deanne Barkley, who broke through the glass ceiling in network television to become an executive in the early 1970s, died at age 82.


Obituary: Cynthia Megella Mustari / Efforts reflected passion for cultures

2013-04-15 00:08:47

Ms. Mustari was a world traveler and an ardent philanthropist.


Obituary: Robert Byrne / Chess grandmaster was late to game

2013-04-15 00:06:41

Robert Byrne didn't pursue the game full time until he was in his 40s, becoming U.S. champion in 1972. He died at age 84.


Obituary: Patricia McCormick / Female bullfighter defied convention

2013-04-15 00:03:36

Patricia McCormick, by all accounts the first woman in North America to become a professional bullfighter, died at age 83.


Obituary: Sister Irma Mae Boonie / Longtime teacher who called on the frail

2013-04-14 00:26:12

Once known as Sister Teresine, she was dedicated to the spiritual renewal movement.


Obituary: James T. Gilliam / Longtime pastor sought to support the needy, connect churches

Obituary: James T. Gilliam / Longtime pastor sought to support the needy, connect churches

2013-04-13 00:28:43

Mr. Gilliam, a resident of Bethel Park, took up amateur boxing in his youth before becoming a pastor. He was 83.


Obituary: Timothy Evans / Former monk, stylish dresser and longtime benefactor of ballet

2013-04-12 00:10:58

Timothy Evans, a regular at the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre for more than 40 years, died at age 62.


Obituary: Leonard Kubiak Sr. / Peabody principal cared for students, staff

2013-04-11 00:09:49

Leonard Kubiak Sr., who dedicated himself to students and staff at Peabody for nearly 30 years, died at age 85.


Obituary: Louis H. Balot III / For career Navy man, fleet 'came first'

2013-04-11 00:02:09

Louis Balot III, a Navy lieutenant commander who provided technical support for nuclear propulsion systems on U.S. vessels, died at age 49.


Obituary: Margaret Thatcher / 'A great prime minister and a great Briton'

Obituary: Margaret Thatcher / 'A great prime minister and a great Briton'

2013-04-09 00:02:33

Baroness Thatcher, Britain's first female prime minister, died Monday at 87.


Obituary: Lilly Pulitzer / Socialite's bright, flowery dresses became uniform for jet-setters

2013-04-08 00:11:11

Lilly Pulitzer created an enduring fashion uniform for wealthy socialites and jet setters almost by accident.


Obituary: Edward L. Dardanell / Newspaper publisher who helped form Forbes Regional Hospital

2013-04-08 00:04:42

Family members of Edward L. Dardanell described him as a man who lived life large.


Obituary: Andrew Chancellor / Former PR executive, journalist known for his perfectionism

2013-04-07 00:20:32

A stickler for accuracy, former PG journalist Andrew Chancellor wanted his obituary to get everything right. So he wrote the first draft.


Obituary: Paul Williams / Rock critic and the founder of Crawdaddy music publication

2013-04-06 00:13:22

Paul Williams, who founded Crawdaddy, the first national publication entirely devoted to in-depth commentary about rock music, died March 27


Obituary: Jane Nebel Henson / Longtime artistic collaborator of late legendary Muppets creator

2013-04-06 00:11:34

As the first partner to the famous Muppeteer, she was instrumental in the creation of the earliest characters in the brood of marionettes


Obituary: Alex Watson / Turned the tide for North Side preservation

2013-04-06 00:11:20

Alex Watson, an early "urban pioneer" who was restoring while demolitions were going on around him in Allegheny West, died at age 91.


Obituary: Chuck Fairbanks / A fitful football coach

Obituary: Chuck Fairbanks / A fitful football coach

2013-04-06 00:09:43

The college and professional coach built successful teams but moved on unexpectedly, leaving players and fans feeling betrayed.


Obituary: Yvonne Brill / Pioneering rocket scientist

2013-04-06 00:07:32

Yvonne Brill in the early 1970s invented a propulsion system to help keep communications satellites from slipping out of their orbits.


Obituary: Roger Ebert / TV viewers gave 'thumbs up' to film critic

Obituary: Roger Ebert / TV viewers gave 'thumbs up' to film critic

2013-04-05 06:14:07

The Pulitzer Prize-winning movie critic whose gladiatorial assessments turned film reviewing into a sport, died at age 70.


Obituary: Burnett Bartley Jr. / Decorated WWII vet, hydroplane racer, community leader

Obituary: Burnett Bartley Jr. / Decorated WWII vet, hydroplane racer, community leader

2013-04-05 00:07:28

Burnett Bartley, who died at age 88, was a longtime employee of Koppers Co. and had plenty of hidden talents.


Obituary: The Rev. Richard Conboy / Local priest with talent for bringing folks together

2013-04-04 00:09:45

Richard Conboy, a Pittsburgh priest who helped nuns and monks with change after Vatican II, died at age 78.


Obituary: Louis V. Kasperik / Player for Duquesne basketball's 'Iron Dukes' tirelessly served others

2013-04-04 00:09:06

Louis V. Kasperik, a retired Derry pharmacist who was the last surviving member of Duquesne's great basketball team, died at age 93.


Obituary: Shain Gandee / MTV's 'Buckwild' star found dead in W.Va.

Obituary: Shain Gandee / MTV's 'Buckwild' star found dead in W.Va.

2013-04-02 00:09:07

Shain Gandee, one of the group of West Virginia friends highlighted in the MTV series "Buckwild," died at age 21.


Obituary: Luevonue M. Lincoln / Helpful nurse, 'very caring instructor' at Pitt

2013-04-02 00:02:57

A migrant farm worker who became a nursing professor at the university has died at age 77.


Obituary: Elsie Thompson / Oldest living person in U.S. since January

2013-04-01 00:07:59

Elsie Thompson, who, at 113, was the oldest living American, died March 21.


Obituary: Robert Clyde Gumbert / Minister at 20 area Methodist churches

Obituary: Robert Clyde Gumbert / Minister at 20 area Methodist churches

2013-04-01 00:03:18

The Rev. Robert Gumbert, ex-pastor of Methodist churches throughout West Pennsylvania and a former chaplain at Braddock Hospital, has died.


Obituary: Deke Richards / Creator of numerous Motown hits

2013-03-30 00:09:16

Deke Richards led a legendary Motown songwriting and producing team.


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