Allegations that cocaine use contributed to the death of TV pitchman Billy Mays have brought a few negative reactions to plans for a Sept. 20 tribute concert in his McKees Rocks hometown.

Some have questioned whether such a tribute is appropriate after the Hillsborough County, Fla., medical examiner concluded that cocaine use caused or contributed to the development of Mr. Mays' heart disease, and thereby contributed to his death.

Toxicology tests also showed therapeutic amounts of painkillers hydrocodone, oxycodone and tramadol, as well as anti-anxiety drugs alprazolam and diazepam.

But the Rev. Regis Ryan takes a different view.

He runs Focus on Renewal, the McKees Rocks social service agency, which will be the benefactor of the concert's proceeds, and believes in looking for the good in people while acknowledging their struggles.

"If we were only helped by people who were sinless, we would have been out of business a long time ago," Father Ryan said.

He noted that Mr. Mays was battling significant pain and said he [Mays] was scheduled for his third hip surgery the day after his June 28 death.

"I'd like to think that if he was using cocaine, it was related to his pain," he said.

Mr. Mays, 50, made a name for himself pitching products in television infomercials, and was co-starring in the Discovery Channel reality show "Pitchmen" when he died.

The Mays family does not believe the Hillsborough County medical examiner's office.

Billy's brother, Randy Mays, described the findings as "preliminary and unconfirmed." Family members have discussed having an independent examination done.

Father Ryan said he hopes the family is proven right.

"We all have our dark sides and we all have our light sides," he said. "I think Billy tried to balance the two. ... I hope that people wouldn't judge me on the basis of the things I've done that they don't know about."

The tribute concert will feature clowns, pony rides, surprise celebrities, dancing and rock 'n' roll, all in the Sto-Rox High School football stadium in Stowe where he was a 1976 graduate and star linebacker.