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Feb. 27: The day we lost Fred Rogers, Myron Cope

PITTSBURGH — They were, and continue to be loved by the city of Pittsburgh. They both influenced the Steel City in different ways. And they will forever be known for their contributions to Pittsburgh.

Fred Rogers and Myron Cope both died on February 27th, making Friday a very sad day in the city's history.

FRED ROGERS:

Mr. Rogers died on Feb. 27, 2003.

Known as everyone’s favorite neighbor, Mr. Rogers was a welcomed guest in Pittsburgh families homes for several years.

Rogers died after battling stomach cancer. He was diagnosed around the holidays the year of his death and passed away in his Pittsburg home at 74 years old.

He was born in 1928 in Latrobe, Westmoreland County. In 1963 Rogers was ordained as a Presbyterian minister and in 1968 the first “Mister Rogers” show aired on PBS. His final show aired in Aug. 2001.

MYRON COPE

On Feb. 27, 2008 the beloved Pittsburgh Steelers announcer died at the Covenant of South Hills nursing home in Mt. Lebanon after being hospitalized months before with pneumonia.

Born on Jan. 23, 1929, Cope was best known as the energetic Steelers announcer who created the Terrible Towel.

He had done color commentary on radio for 35 years, coining the phrase “yoi!” and “double yoi!”