Bob McGrath (centre) was a fixture on Telemiracle for nearly 40 years. (File photo/paNOW)

By Teena Monteleone

Bob McGrath, original ‘Sesame Street’ and Telemiracle cast member, dead at 90

Dec 4, 2022 | 7:32 PM

Bob McGrath, an original cast member of “Sesame Street” and a beloved host of Saskatchewan’s Telemiracle has died.

According to statements shared on social media by his family and Sesame Workshop, he “died peacefully at home today surrounded by family.”

He was 90 years old.

Bob McGrath, 1932-2022 (Facebook/Sesame Workshop)

McGrath last hosted Telemiracle in 2015. The American singer and actor had been a part of all but two fundraisers since it was started by the Kinsmen and Kinettes in 1977 and helped raise more than $95 million to assist Saskatchewan people in acquiring special needs equipment and access to medical treatment.

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In 2013, McGrath was presented with the Saskatchewan Distinguished Service Award.

At the time, former Premier Brad Wall said, “It is truly an honour to present this award to such a worthy individual. For more than three decades Mr. McGrath has touched the lives of thousands of Saskatchewan families through his work with the Kinsmen Telemiracle. On behalf of a very grateful province, I would like to thank Mr. McGrath for all that he has done for our most vulnerable citizens.”

In a Tweet, Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street said, “Bob embodied the melodies of Sesame Street like no one else, and his performances brought joy and wonder to generations of children around the world …whether teaching them the ABCs, the people in their neighbourhood, or the simple joy of feeling music in their hearts. A revered performer worldwide, Bob’s rich tenor filled airwaves and concert halls from Las Vegas to Saskatchewan to Tokyo many times over.”

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