Pawn Stars patriarch, Richard Benjamin Harrison, who was known as “The Old Man,” has died at age 77 following a battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Gold & Silver Pawn’s Facebook page posted Monday that Harrison was surrounded by “loving family” this past weekend and died peacefully.
“He will be remembered as the best father, grandfather and great-grandfather you could have by his family and by fans as the sometimes grumpy (always loving, however), often wisecracking, and voice of absolute reason on the History television show Pawn Stars,” the post read.
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The Navy veteran opened the Gold & Silver Pawn store in Las Vegas with his son, Rick. Pawn Stars premiered in 2009 and features the Harrisons interacting with customers who are trying to sell or pawn objects that are often unusual or have historic value.
“Richard Benjamin ‘The Old Man’ Harrison passed away this morning surrounded by those he loved,” Rick Harrison wrote on Instagram. “He will be tremendously missed by our family, the team at Gold & Silver Pawn and his many fans the world over.”
His post continued: “He was my hero and I was fortunate to get a very cool ‘Old Man’ as my dad. That I got to share him with so many others and they got to see what a great family man he was is something I am grateful to have experienced with him. He lived a very full life and through the History television show Pawn Stars touched the lives of people all over teaching them the value of loving your family, hard work and humour. We appreciate everyone’s thoughts and prayers and ask that we are provided some privacy at this time.”
Rick shared a second photo of his dad wearing a navy uniform, writing, “Today I lose a friend, a father, a teacher and so much more. The Old Man lost his long battle with Parkinson’s this morning. Love you Dad. See you on the other side.
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Representatives for the History Channel offered their condolences.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our friend Richard ‘The Old Man’ Harrison, a beloved member of the History and Pawn Stars family,” History said in a statement. “He will be greatly missed for his wisdom and candor. Our thoughts are with the Harrison family during this difficult time.”
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Once news of his passing spread, many fans took to social media to mourn the loss of “The Old Man.”
—With files from the Associated Press