John Galbreath made a fortune in commercial property development, building skyscrapers in the United States and abroad.
He initially held a 20 percent stake in majority owner Frank E. McKinney's four-man syndicate when it purchased the Pirates on August 8, 1946.
Galbreath's partners also included entertainer Bing Crosby and Pittsburgh attorney Thomas P. Johnson.
Not quite four years later, when McKinney sold his 50 percent stake, Galbreath acquired majority control on July 18, 1950.
Galbreath was the first owner to break the so-called "Million Dollar Mark" when he signed Dave Parker to a multi-year contract in 1979.