Those we lost in 2011
*** denotes local notable deaths
*** Cookie Gilchrist, 75
A native of Brackenridge, Gilchrist was a standout fullback in high school who went on to a successful career in the Canadian Football League followed by stints with the Buffalo Bills, N.Y. Jets and San Diego Chargers. JAN. 10
A Pittsburgh native, Levine toy company successfully marketed the “100 Toy Soldiers for $1″ that were advertised widely on comic books, as well as the potato gun, toy shrunken heads and Uncle Milton’s Ant Farm. JAN. 16
Known as “the man with the golden ear,” Kirshner owned several record labels and managed pop groups including “The Monkees,” “Kansas,” and “The Archies.” He hosted the 1970s TV series, “Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert.” JAN. 17
Husband of JFK’s sister, Eunice Kennedy, he was architect of President Johnson’s “War on Poverty,” and helped create the Peace Corps, Job Corps and Head start. He also served as the U.S. ambassador to France. JAN. 18
Renown fitness guru, he wrote numerous health and exercise books, hosted a TV fitness program from 1951 to 1985 and invented a number of exercise machines. He also gained recognition as a body builder and for his prodigious feats of strength. JAN. 23
A local talk-radio personality who was well-versed on a number of topics, Hoerth worked for several stations in the Pittsburgh market after arriving in the city in 1980, including KDKA and WTAE. He also hosted a popular “Oldies” music show on Sunday nights on WJAS. JAN. 25
An Edgewood native who served as a fighter pilot during World War II, his acting credits included a role in the original Broadway production of “South Pacific” and numerous TV shows. He was managing director of the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera from 1971-83. JAN. 25
Stand-up comic and comedic actor best known for his quick wit and extensive catalogue of verbal sound effects. He worked with Mel Brooks, Jerry Lewis, and Dean Martin and appeared extensively on television talk shows during the 1970s. JAN. 27
Grandson of oil tycoon Jean Paul Getty, he was kidnapped in 1973 in Rome. a $2.9 million ransom was paid after a newspaper received an envelope containing a lock of hair and one of Getty’s ears. FEB. 5
A native of New Castle, Lawrence County, Tanner managed the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1977 to 1985. He led the team to a World Series championship in 1979. FEB. 11
The last surviving U.S. veteran of World War I. during World War II, he was captured by Japanese forces while working in the shipping industry and spent three years as a civilian prisoner in the Philippines. FEB. 27
One of Hollywood’s leading sex symbols during the 1940s and 1950s, she appeared in films including “The Outlaws,” “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” starring opposite Marilyn Monroe. FEB. 28
A two-time Academy Award winning actress, Taylor starred in films including “National Velvet,” “Cleopatra,” “BUtterfield 8″ and “Whose Afraid of Virginia Woolf?,” one of 11 films in which she co-starred with her husband, Richard Burton. Later in life Taylor became a strong advocate of programs to combat HIV and AIDS. MARCH 23
Served as deputy United States attorney General under President Lyndon Johnson, deputy secretary of state in the Carter administration, and secretary of state under President Bill Clinton. MARCH 18
A scientist and entrepreneur who headed 26 companies including Pittsburgh Outdoor Advertising. The Shadyside philanthropist donated most of his wealth to organization including Carnegie Mellon and Princeton universities, UPMC Shadyside and the Rodef Shalom Congregation. MARCH 23
A Democrat from New York, Ferraro was the first woman vice presidential candidate in 1984 when former Vice President Walter Mondale sought the presidency. Mondale and Ferraro lost in a landslide election to incumbent President Ronald Reagan and Vice President George H.W. Bush. MARCH 26
A Pittsburgh area journalist for nearly four decades, Fryer served as managing editor of Trib Total Media newspapers and helped transform the Tribune-Review into an award-winning major metropolitan newspaper. APRIL 13
Singer and songwriter whose vocal range swept over four octaves, she scored the chart-topping hit “Poetry man” in 1975. She sang background vocals on Paul Simon’s hit song “50 Ways to Leave your Lover.” APRIL 26
The first child actor to receive an Oscar nomination for his role in the 1931 film “Skippy,” he also starred in the “Our Gang” comedy series and went on to a successful acting, directing and producing career as an adult. MAY 3
A professional golfer from Spain, Ballesteros finished in second place at the 1976 British Open at age 19. Between 1979 and 1988, Ballesteros won the Open Championship three times, the Masters Tournament twice and the World Match Play Championship five times. MAY 7
A casino executive, he was awarded the rights in 2007 to build a casino on the North Shore near Heinz Field, but later defaulted on the project. MAY 19
A fixture on KDKA radio for 28 years, his spaghetti breakfasts in Market Square became as much of a Pittsburgh legend as his April Fool’s Day broadcasts about spaceships landing in North Park and alligators roaming the city sewers. a long-time motorcycle enthusiast, he served as honorary chairman of the March of Dimes Ride America event for several years, and was an avid supporter of the little Sisters of the Poor. MAY 20
A retired banker from Ligonier, he served on the governing board of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Downtown, and was recognized for his volunteer efforts on behalf of the Visiting Nurses Association, Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children, Canterbury place and Family Resources. JUNE 1
A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he played fullback for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1960-65 and ranks fourth on the team’s all-time rushing list. JUNE 3
Known as “Dr. Death,” the outspoken ?euthanasia activist claimed to have assisted at least 130 terminally ill patients commit suicide. Starting in 1999, he served eight years of a 10-to-25-year prison sentence after being convicted of second-degree murder. JUNE 3
Best known for portraying the character Marshal Matt Dillon in the “Gunsmoke” TV series for 20 years. He also co-starred with his close friend, John Wayne, in numerous westerns, and had key roles in the science fiction films, “The thing from another World,” and “Them!” JUNE 3
Known as “The Big Man,” Clemons was the tenor saxophonist for Bruce Springsteen’s “E Street Band.” He also performed with a number of recording artists including Jackson Browne, Aretha Franklin, “The Grateful Dead,” and “Ringo Starr & his All-Starr Band.” JUNE 18
Famous for his role as Lt. Columbo in the 1970s television series “Columbo,” he also appeared in numerous films including “The Princess Bride” and “The Great Race.” He was twice nominated for an Academy Award, and was a five-time Emmy Award winner. JUNE 23
Best known for the art he created in the late 1960s that are reminiscent of a blackboard covered in cursive-style writing, Twombly’s works were known for blurring the line between drawing and painting. JULY 5
First Lady of the United States form 1974 to 1977 during Gerald Ford’s presidency, she helped raise awareness about breast cancer following her 1974 mastectomy. She was the founder and first board chair of the Betty Ford Center for substance abuse and addiction. JULY 8
Democrat from Washington County, he served four terms in the U.S. House from 1995 to 2003. He lost his seat after redistricting forced him to run against fellow Democrat John Murtha of Johnston. JULY 10
A chief in Vietnam’s air force during the 1960s, Cao Ky led South Vietnam as the prime minister of a military junta from 1965-67. He also served as prime president of South Vietnam in a civilian administration until 1971. JULY 23
A two-time All American defensive end for Michigan State University, Smith played nine seasons in the NFL. He also had a successful acting career that included his role as Moses Hightower in the first six “Police Academy” films. AUG. 3
During his 41 years at the Kiski School in Saltsburg, Vlahos chaired the history department, coached sports and served as director of development and alumni affairs. a dormitory on the campus bears his name. AUG. 10
A World War II prisoner of war, he was the oldest survivor of the Bataan Death March in which 78,000 troops were captured by Japanese forces and forced to walk 65 miles to a POW camp without food, water or medical attention. an estimated 11,000 prisoners died during the march. AUG. 14
The Fox Chapel woman was devoted to assisting her husband, renown cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. George J. Magovern, and was a tireless volunteer for St. Scholastica Church, LaRoche College and Shady side Academy. She also served as president of the Allegheny General Hospital Auxiliary. JUNE 16
Ashford teamed with his wife, Valerie Simpson, in a successful songwriting and performing team that include hit songs such as “Ain’t no Mountain High Enough,” “Ain’t Nothing like the Real thing,”and “Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand).” The team also penned hits for artists such Chaka Kahn and Teddy Pendergrass. AUG. 22
With his song-writing and record producing partner, Mike Stoller, the pair penned hits including “Hound Dog,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “Kansas City,” “Stand By Me” and “On Broadway.” AUG. 22
A Pittsburgh native, DiLeo was a long-time recording industry executive and served as Michael Jackson’s manager from 1984-89 and again in 2009. He also managed singer Laura Branigan and Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora. AUG. 24
A long-time teacher in the Hempfield and Ligonier Valley school districts, she was remembered as a “Secret Santa” who anonymously sent packages of food and clothing during Christmas to families who fell on hard times. SEPT. 4
The director of community relations for Trib Total Media, Hughes was an award-winning journalist whose newspaper career began at age 15 and spanned more than six decades. SEPT. 12
A longtime 12th Ward chairman in Pittsburgh’s East end, the former aide to Allegheny County Commissioner Tom Foerster was considered by many to have been one of the last great black political power brokers in the city. SEPT. 29
President of Vandergrift-based Uncle Charley’s Sausage Co., he was killed in an airplane crash in West Virginia along with his girlfriend and the pilot. OCT. 2
A pioneer of the personal computer revolution, he was co-founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Apple inc. He also was co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios and was on the board of directors of The Walt Disney Co. OCT. 5
The Mt. Lebanon businessman left an estate worth some $500 million to local charities and educational institutions including The Pittsburgh Foundation and Pitt, Carnegie Mellon, Duquesne and Chatham universities. OCT. 6
The former owner of Groomes Transit Co. in East Huntingdon, he was dogged for years by the mysterious disappearance of his first wife, Ada Jane Groomes, 54, of Scottdale in October 1988. OCT. 7
A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the owner of the Oakland Raiders was known as a trailblazer in the NFL for hiring the first black head coach of the modern era, Art Shell; the first Latino coach, Tom Flores; and the first woman CEO, Amy Trask. OCT. 8
A past president of the Garden Club of Allegheny County, the Squirrel Hill woman made the beautification of the Pittsburgh area was one of the focal points of her artistic life. She also was an avid volunteer and financial contributor of organizations that helped the needy. OCT. 9
An 18-year veteran of the Lower Burrell police force, officer Kotecki was shot to death in an ambush while attempting to take a fugitive into custody. OCT. 12
A Marine who served in the Korean War, the Fox Chapel attorney served as chairman of the committee that supervised the construction of St. Margaret Memorial Hospital near Aspinwall. He continued his involvement with the new hospital in 1982 as chairman of its board. He concluded his service with the negotiation of the hospital’s merger with UPMC. OCT. 9
A two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, the British race car driver died from injuries he suffered during a collision at the IZOD IndyCar World Championship at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. OCT. 16
A Harvard graduate, Niskanen was a member of President Ronald Reagan’s Council of Economic Advisers and is considered a prime architect of the president’s economic policies. He also was a long-time chairman of the Cato Institute. OCT. 26
A long-time radio and TV writer, he was best known for his weekly appearances on the TV news show “60 Minutes” from 1978 until his retirement a month before his death. NOV. 4
Known as “Smokin’ Joe,” he won a Gold Medal for boxing in 1964. As a professional boxer, he became the heavyweight champion in 1970 and defeated Muhammad Ali in 1971. two years later, he lost the title when he was knocked out by George Foreman. NOV. 7
Created the long-running newspaper comic, “The Family Circus,” which began in 1960 and continues to be produced by his son. NOV. 8
A long-time employee of National Steel Corp., he began as a sales trainee and rose to become the company’s chairman, president and CEO. He served on Pitt’s board of trustees for 30 years and also was on the board of The Heinz Endowments, the Pittsburgh Symphony, United way of Allegheny County, the Allegheny Conference on Community Development and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. NOV. 16
A native of Pittsburgh, she devoted her time and talents to historic preservation in the Baltimore, where, during the 1960s, she was instrumental in halting the demolition of properties such as the historic rowhouses on Thames Street in Baltimore’s Fells Point neighborhood. NOV. 20
A long-time TV actor, he is best known for his roles as Detective Bill Gannon on “Dragnet,” and as Col. Sherman T. Potter in the series M*A*S*H, which ran from 1975-83. He also appeared in more than 100 films. DEC. 7
A part-time police officer in East Washington since 2010, Dryer was shot to death during a traffic stop along Interstate 70 in South Strabane. Dryer also was a veterinarian, a volunteer firefighter and an officer with the state Game Commission. DEC. 18
The patriach of KQV Radio, Pittsburgh’s oldest all-news station, he joined the station in 1976 and bought it in 1982. DEC. 24
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