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Jun 28, 2009 11:55 pm US/Eastern
Billy Mays' Brother: Pitchman Had "Gift Of Giving"
McKEES ROCKS (KDKA) ―
Television pitchman Billy Mays grew up in McKees Rocks and got his start selling products on the Atlantic City boardwalk before becoming the face and voice of numerous commercials and infomercials.
However, Mays died tragically Sunday morning at his home in Florida. He was 50.
Officials say the TV pitchman was found unresponsive by his wife Sunday morning. His death came just hours after he said he was hit on the head during the rough landing of a US Airways flight in Tampa when the front tires blew out.
"All of a sudden as we hit, you know, it was just the hardest hit, all the things from the ceiling started dropping. It hit me on the head, but I got a hard head," Mays told a Florida television station after getting off the flight.
Mays moved from Pittsburgh several years ago, but many of his family members still live in the local area.
Meanwhile, the specifics of Mays' death are still under investigation, but his younger brother says the loss of Billy Mays will be felt by more than just the immediate family.
"He was funny, loving, but gentle. And I would say, in the church we have a term, 'the gift of giving.' He had the gift of giving," said Randy Mays. "He gave not only of himself, but of his resources, of his time. God broke the mold with my brother. We were close."
A spokesperson for US Airways says that as of Saturday they were not aware of any injuries related to the incident that happened at the Tampa airport.
But the investigation into Mays' death is ongoing.
The Mays family says funeral arrangements are not complete, but they expect to plan a fitting ceremony.
Stay with KDKA for the latest details.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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