Today is a special day for our neighborhood, more specifically, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.
Pittsburgh's own “Handyman” Joe Negri celebrates his 98th birthday today, Monday, June 10.
In addition to being a “handyman” in the "Neighborhood of Make-Believe" segments and was the owner of “Negri’s Music Shop” where famous musicians would stop by and play for the viewers.
While he wasn’t a real-life handyman, he was a musician, an accomplished jazz musician.
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 in a statement. “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.”
Fred Rogers productions says Negri is still involved in music and spends his time with his family.
Happy birthday to the "handyman" who played on KDKA Radio early in his career.