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Ross Township Unveils Bruno Sammartino Park

PITTSBURGH (AP/KDKA) -- Ross Township is honoring pro wrestler Bruno Sammartino by renaming a park in the longtime resident's honor.

Sangree Park in Ross Township will be known as Sammartino Park, after the man who lived in the community for more than 50 years.

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(Photo Credit: KDKA Photojournalist Ian Smith)

Sammartino appeared in the ring between 1963 and 1987. He was the longest reigning champion in World Wrestling Entertainment history and was a member of its Hall of Fame. He was known as "The Living Legend."

Sammartino was born in Italy and survived World War II before his family joined his father in Pittsburgh in 1950.

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(Photo Credit: KDKA Photojournalist Ian Smith)

"Bruno is an internationally known figure and a lot of people knew that he was from Pittsburgh but didn't know that he lived in this community, in Ross Township," said Dan DeMarco, president of the Ross Township Board of Commissioners.

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(Photo Credit: KDKA Photojournalist Ian Smith)

Sammartino died in 2018 at age 82. He was survived by his wife and three sons.

Sammartino lived in Ross Township for 58 years, including during his record breaking run as world heavyweight champion.

(TM and © Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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