Overview
- Negri died of natural causes on Saturday, May 30, his daughter Lisa Negri said, just days before a planned 100th‑birthday celebration on June 10.
- Fred Rogers Productions issued a statement mourning his passing and praised his warmth, musical talent, and role on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.
- He originated the role of Handyman Negri in 1968 and appeared across the show's run, performing in roughly 300 to 330 episodes and running the program’s fictional Negri’s Music Shop.
- Off screen he was a respected jazz guitarist and educator who taught at the University of Pittsburgh for nearly 50 years, founded Duquesne’s jazz guitar program and also taught at Carnegie Mellon.
- Local institutions, colleagues and fans are issuing tributes and Pittsburgh organizations that honored him plan remembrances that will underscore his influence on the city's music and education communities.