A beloved member of the Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood family has died.
Joe “Handyman” Negri passed away on Saturday at the age of 99, just days before he was to turn 100 on June 10.
While Negri was known for his role on the classic PBS show, Negri was a highly-skilled jazz guitarist.
In addition to being the "handyman" in the "Neighborhood of Make-Believe" segments, he was the owner of "Negri's Music Shop" where famous musicians would stop by and play for the viewers of the Neighborhood.
He taught jazz guitar at local universities like Pitt, Duquesne and Carnegie Mellon.
"Music was always a vital component of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, and Joe Negri was an important part of that," Fred Rogers Productions told KDKA Radio on his 98th birthday. "As both himself and Handyman Negri, Joe brought heart and friendship to The Neighborhood, and his work on the series continues to resonate with viewers today."
Negri also performed on other local stations and on KDKA Radio as a child.
Joe Negri was days away from celebrating his 100th birthday
Joe Negri was days away from celebrating his 100th birthday
