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Scott Brown [photo courtesy wgrz][/caption]So sorry to hear of the passing of long-time WGRZ-TV newscaster Scott Brown.  He died on Friday after a long fight with cancer.

A familiar face on local TV, Brown was a class act in a tough business.  After studying journalism at Buf State, his first broadcasting job was at WEBR Radio and then in 1982 he jumped over to Channel 2.  Over the years was known for his coverage of politics and elections.  He also covered numerous inspirational and personal feature stories and investigative reports that won him numerous awards including eleven New York State Emmy Awards and three national Edward R. Murrow Awards.

His interest in politics drew him to take offers to work for a time as a spokesman for Erie County Executive Dennis Gorski and State Attorney General Elliott Spitzer.

Broadcasting called him back to Channel 2 where he did memorable stories about Anthony Capozzi, the Buffalo man who spent 22 years in prison after wrongfully being convicted of two Delaware Park rapes.  DNA later proved the man who became known as the Bike Path Rapist Altemio Sanchez was responsible for those rapes.

He also covered the heartbreaking story of Laura Cummings, the mentally disabled young woman from North Collins who was raped and beaten by family members.  Her mother and half brother were convicted in her death.

Brown was off the air for eight months dealing with a medical issue about two years ago, but up until just recently was a regular contributor at Channel 2.  Funeral arrangements are pending.  Scott Brown was 59.

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