Last Chapter: Spring '13
Noting the passing of prominent Pittsburghers Jim Richardson, 75
Jim Richardson was the creator of the Post-Gazette's "Seen" column. While running the salon at Kaufmann's, he suggested a society column to Post-Gazette editor John Craig, and the idea took off. The slight and stylish Texas native had a big sense of fun. A keen observer who spoke with a drawl and wrote with a wry wit, he toted his big notebook to Pittsburgh parties, jotting down names, reviving coverage of social events and increasing the prominence of charitable fundraising in Pittsburgh. more >
Last Chapter: Winter '13
Noting the passing of prominent PittsburghersChris Snavely, 88
In 1958, Chris Snavely purchased the Germain Lumber Corp. and ultimately turned the company, founded in 1902, into Snavely Forest Products, a major national lumber wholesaler. In World War II, he fought in the Battle of the Bulge, where he was captured and remained a POW until 1945. Snavely's philanthropic efforts included founding the Haiti Tree Reintroduction Program. To see that the now-successful reforestation program was started correctly, he made the grueling trips to Haiti in his early 80s. Snavely had great energy and humor; he loved parties, telling stories and helping people. more >
Last Chapter: Fall '12
Noting the passage of prominent PittsburghersFall 2012Paul R. Jenkins, 80
As the former leader of the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, Jenkins was a key regional leader who spurred numerous improvements in Greater Pittsburgh and West Virginia for more than 40 years. A Pittsburgh native who received an undergraduate degree from Princeton and a law degree from the University of Michigan, he was the first non-West Virginian to be named a Distinguished West Virginian. Jenkins was a man of great wit, vision and courage, being a key early supporter of the creation of Pittsburgh’s Cultural District when many believed it couldn’t be done. He won numerous civic awards and was on the board of several nonprofits, including the First United Methodist Church of Pittsburgh, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and Shady Side Academy. more >
Last Chapter: Summer '12
Noting the passage of prominent PittsburghersSummer 2012Dr. James Shaver, 77
A master with the stethoscope who could both diagnose and mimic the sounds of the human heart, Dr. Shaver was a 45-year cardiologist at UPMC who taught generations of cardiologists at the University of Pittsburgh Medical School. He was chief of cardiology for 25 years and a recipient of the Pulse of Pittsburgh Award from the American Heart Association. more >
Last Chapter: Winter '12
Noting the passing of prominent PittsburghersWinter 2012
Thomas P. Brody, 91
Brody was a multi-talented man who qualified for the Olympics as a swimmer and later had more than 60 patents to his name. more >
Last Chapter: Fall '11
Noting the passing of prominent PittsburghersFall 2011
Frank Mascara, 81
The son of Italian immigrants, Mascara was orphaned at the age of 16. He overcame a hardscrabble childhood to become Washington County controller, 14-year Chairman of the Washington County Commission, and four-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives. more >
Last Chapter: Summer '11
Noting the passing of prominent PittsburghersSummer 2011
Henry Posner Jr., 92
Posner was a very successful businessman and generous philanthropist. Valedictorian at Shady Side Academy and honors graduate of Princeton, he was a research scientist during World War II. more >
Last chapter: Spring '10
Noting the passing of prominent PittsburghersYvonne Zanos, 60
A former Miss Pennsylvania runner-up, she was a tall, striking woman who became beloved in Pittsburgh as KDKA-TV’s reliable and savvy consumer reporter. Known for her warm and winning personality, she was also a tough advocate for consumers. more >
Last chapter: Summer '10
Noting the passing of prominent PittsburghersFrank Sarris, 78
Sarris was a self-made man whose generosity helped a spectrum of his fellow citizens—from community organizations in his hometown of Canonsburg to the University of Pittsburgh, where he donated $5 million to the liver transplant program. more >
Last chapter: Spring '11
Noting the passing of prominent PittsburghersCarlton “Cookie” Gilchrist, 75
Gilchrist was a 250-pound running back, considered by many to be the greatest ever to play pro football. The Brackenridge native dominated defenses in the Canadian Football League and later in the American Football League, where he was a four-time Pro Bowl selection.
more >Last chapter: Winter '11
Noting the passing of prominent PittsburghersWinter 2011Willard J. Tillotson Jr., 82
Industry pioneer Bill Tillotson founded and led one of Pennsylvania’s oldest and largest wealth-management firms, Hefren-Tillotson. Born with a competitive and friendly nature in the village of Tillotson, near Erie, he served in the U.S. Army for two years before entering Allegheny College, where he was a successful athlete and later a trustee for more than two decades. more >
Last chapter: Fall '10
Noting the passing of prominent PittsburghersRobert R. Lavelle, 94
Lavelle founded the Hill District's Dwelling House Savings & Loan, which helped thousands of people get loans and own their own homes. A devout Christian, the dignified rock of the Hill District viewed his financial work as his mission, advising and helping customers when they were late on payments. more >
