Former WICU-TV Chief Engineer Michael "The Chief" Csop passed away Thursday morning, just five days before his 95th birthday, his family has announced. 

A veteran of World War II, Csop served in Burma amid the Southwest Asia Theatre of Operations. 

When World War II ended, Csop became interested in a new industry - television. He was hired on to be WICU's first chief engineer one month before the station signed on in March 1949. 

According to his nephew Tim Reed, Csop was a hunter, fisher, winemaker, woodworker and volunteered his time to help others. He also cooked and gardened, and won many awards at the Spartansburg Fair in Crawford County. 

He is survived by his daughter Suzanne. He was preceded in death by his wife Shirley, and his daughters Annette and Michelle. 

The Erie News Now family offers its heartfelt condolences to the Csop family.