Harry Kalinsky Remembered After Passing Earlier This Week

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Baltimore remembers Harry Kalinsky, one of the city's best known characters, after passing away earlier this week.

Kalinsky was discovered for television at Dan Brothers, where he sold shoes for more than 40 years.

"The dedication he had for this store and the dedication he had for his customers is just beyond words," said Amir Ahmadinia, owner of Dan Brothers shoes in South Baltimore. "To me he's legendary. I call him the Muhammad Ali of Dan Brothers shoes."

Aside from selling shoes, Kalinksy also appeared on television in commercials, and on WJZ's Manic Monday segments.

"I was in Dan Brothers 20 years ago, a sales guy came up to me and I'm looking at him and I said this guy has a face made for funny TV commercials," said Allan Charles, Chairman Trahan of Burden and Charles Advertising. "I started using him and every commercial was a hit. The guy was amazing."

Kalinksy was 87 years old. Funeral services were held in Baltimore on Tuesday.

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