India, June 1 -- Joe Negri, a prominent figure from one of America's beloved children's television programs, has passed away just days prior to his 100th birthday. Negri, the jazz guitarist who portrayed Handyman Negri on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, died of natural causes at the age of 99, as reported by his daughter, Lisa Negri.

Long before countless viewers recognized him from Fred Rogers' television neighborhood, Negri had already established an impressive career in music.

Born in Pittsburgh in 1926, he began playing musical instruments at a young age after receiving a ukulele from his father when he was just 3 years old. By the age of 16, he was already touring the nation with swing bands.

Negri subsequently performed on radio sho...