Breaking News: Tim Russert Dies of Heart Attack

Tim Russert, of NBC's "Meet the Press" collapsed at the Washington studios of NBC and died Friday afternoon.

WASHINGTON (Catholic Online) - Tim Russert, host of NBC's "Meet the Press" and one of the nations most respected journalists died suddenly of a heart attack at NBC Studios in Washington, DC.

Russert, 58, started feeling ill this afternoon during preparation for this Sunday's broadcast of MTP. He collapsed and later died.

He was born in Buffalo, New York to Irish American Catholic parents, and graduated from Canisius High School. He went on to John Carroll University and Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University.

After graduation Russert served on the staff for New York Democratic Daniel Patrick Moynihan's senatorial campaign in 1976 and then worked was chief of staff to the senator from 1977 to 1982.

He then worked for Mario Cuomo's campaign for Governor of New York and served as counselor in Cuomo's office in Albany in 1983 to 1984.

In 1984, Russert was hired by NBC and became Washington Bureau Chief in 1988. He took over "Meet the Press" in 1991, where he gained a reputation for asking very tough and straight questions of his guests.

Russert was a devout Catholic Christian. A strong advocate of Catholic schools, he often spoke warmly of his years of parochial education. He attributed that educationa lexperience with having formed his life, his faith and his skills.

He also honored his father. He spoke of him having sacrificed to make it possible for him to receive the gift of a Catholic education.In his best selling tribute to his father,published last year, entitled "Big Russ & Me", Tim Russert wrote a moving tribute to the man whom he loved and from whom he received so much.

Now, on this father's day weekend, Tim will not join him.

The accolades poured in after the news of his untimely death. Msgr. Francis Maniscalco praised Russert as a great journalist and a "very much a down-to-earth Catholic." He continued, "He took his religious faith seriously."

Tim Russert had just returned from a trip to Rome with his beloved wife, Maureen and their son Luke, who had just graduated from Boston College.

A beacon of civility, integrity and honesty in the profession of journalism, Tim Russert will be greatly missed.

May his soul and all the soul's of the faithful departed rest in peace, Amen.

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