Former Channel 7 (WXYZ TV) sportscaster Don Shane passed away at his California home on Friday, February 24, 2023, at the age of 70.The news was confirmed by his wife Mona, who appeared on the channel on Saturday alongside Diana Lewis, another WXYZ veteran news anchor, to remember and pay tribute to the late sports reporter.Shane started his more than three-decade-long career in the early 1980s in Detroit, anchoring for Channel 4. Following short stints in Chicago and Boston, he joined Channel 7 in 1989, becoming a top sports anchor, covering many important events in sports history.He retired in February 2012 at the age of 60, to spend time with his family. While leaving WXYZ TV, he remarked:"I have been really blessed. The things I have been able to see and do have far exceeded my expectations."He passed away surrounded by his wife Mona, and children Justin and Lindsay."The heart of that WXYZ TV Detroit sports department is all gone": Netizens pay tribute to Don Shane's passingAs news of the Channel 7 sportscaster's passing was broadcast, people were shocked. They took to social media to express their sorrow and mourn his passing.They called him a talented, wonderful, and one-of-a-kind man. Twitterati thanked Shane for his work over the years, calling him the "best in the business."One user, James Honeycutt, @jamesxxcc, shared an artwork in his honor with the message:"Tribute art for one of the greatest sports broadcaster in Detroit history! R.I.P Don Shane @wyzdetroit"James Honeycutt@jamesxxccTribute art for one of the greatest sports broadcaster in Detroit history! R.I.P Don Shane @wxyzdetroit597Tribute art for one of the greatest sports broadcaster in Detroit history! R.I.P Don Shane 😪 @wxyzdetroit https://t.co/5cJVx7gkvhMany of Shane's former colleagues and peers paid their respects to the legendary sports commentator. Those who had the opportunity to work under him remarked that he was a great mentor and expressed their gratitude for the lessons given by him.User @MickeyYorkTV, shared a heartwarming message for his late mentor, stating:A user paying their tribute to the sports anchor (Image via Twitter/ @MickeyYorkTV)Here are some comments seen on Twitter reacting to Don Shane's death:Parker andTheMan@parkerandthemanMan, it just dawned on me that the heart of that WXYZ 7 Detroit sports department is all gone now. For YEARS it was Don Shane and his two great producers Reggie Hall and Rei J. They made it happen. All 3 have passed. Somewhere up there one HECK of a TV "live shot" is going on!182Man, it just dawned on me that the heart of that WXYZ 7 Detroit sports department is all gone now. For YEARS it was Don Shane and his two great producers Reggie Hall and Rei J. They made it happen. All 3 have passed. Somewhere up there one HECK of a TV "live shot" is going on! https://t.co/KL3qIJMz3pBrandon@TheLoon08RIP Don Shane, one of the best in the metro Detroit area RIP Don Shane, one of the best in the metro Detroit area 🙏Parker andTheMan@parkerandthemanWe lost Don Shane today. Terribly sad. 70. Donny worked at both Channel 4 and 7 Detroit; long run at WXYZ until retirement in 2012. Also in Boston / Chicago. I spent a lot of time on the road with Donny. I'll just use HIS old line on air, "Why can't WE... get guys like THAT!"1127We lost Don Shane today. Terribly sad. 70. Donny worked at both Channel 4 and 7 Detroit; long run at WXYZ until retirement in 2012. Also in Boston / Chicago. I spent a lot of time on the road with Donny. I'll just use HIS old line on air, "Why can't WE... get guys like THAT!" https://t.co/SH8ZynmMzpJim Brandstatter@jimbrandstatterSo very sorry to hear of the passing of Don Shane. A good friend who started his career in Detroit along with me at CH4…RIP my friend, a talented and wonderful soul.22611So very sorry to hear of the passing of Don Shane. A good friend who started his career in Detroit along with me at CH4…RIP my friend, a talented and wonderful soul.Alice Cook@alicemcookRest in peace Don Shane. I absolutely loved working with you. Will never forget our week in Chicago before Bears and Patriots. We had so many laughs in the #WBZ sports office during the great 80's.743Rest in peace Don Shane. I absolutely loved working with you. Will never forget our week in Chicago before Bears and Patriots. We had so many laughs in the #WBZ sports office during the great 80's. https://t.co/8i1YgfHyYmAnthony John Bonk@AnthonyBonk4Very sad news Don Shane the former sports anchor, and sports director, of Channel 7 has passed away, thoughts and prayers for his family and friends he really was sports in Detroit.9Very sad news Don Shane the former sports anchor, and sports director, of Channel 7 has passed away, 😢 thoughts and prayers 🙏 for his family and friends he really was sports in Detroit.Tom Leyden@TomLeydenWe have lost the one-of-a-kind Don Shane, who passed away Friday with Justin & Lindsay by his side. Don touched the lives of millions over the course of a legendary broadcasting career. A dear friend, mentor and confidant - not just to me, but many. bit.ly/3m53Xr535028We have lost the one-of-a-kind Don Shane, who passed away Friday with Justin & Lindsay by his side. Don touched the lives of millions over the course of a legendary broadcasting career. A dear friend, mentor and confidant - not just to me, but many. bit.ly/3m53Xr5 https://t.co/sa95Urn6mjLynn G. Henning@Lynn_HenningAnother pained loss ... Don Shane. One of the best guys in TV sports. He and Mona were as good as married couples get. Really aching for her. Aching as much for all who lost this good man and friend, only 70.684Another pained loss ... Don Shane. One of the best guys in TV sports. He and Mona were as good as married couples get. Really aching for her. Aching as much for all who lost this good man and friend, only 70.Brad Thompson@bt8ballRIP Don Shane. The best in the business as a Sports Anchor in the D and a damn good friend.2RIP Don Shane. The best in the business as a Sports Anchor in the D and a damn good friend. https://t.co/h6JAZrqREPBen Macioce@BenMaceSad to learn former @Local4News sportscaster and @wxyzdetroit Sports Director Don Shane has died at the age of 70. I meet Don during my internship at WXYZ in 2012. Don was great at what he did and will be missed by many. This is from Don’s retirement party in March 2012.2Sad to learn former @Local4News sportscaster and @wxyzdetroit Sports Director Don Shane has died at the age of 70. I meet Don during my internship at WXYZ in 2012. Don was great at what he did and will be missed by many. This is from Don’s retirement party in March 2012. https://t.co/5dhrAe1uhaTerry Foster@terryfosterdetNo one in the media loved Detroit sports more than Don Shane. Rest in peace brother.2829No one in the media loved Detroit sports more than Don Shane. Rest in peace brother.Following his retirement, Don Shane moved to Arizona to spend time with his family and lived his last years in CaliforniaWXZY shared a heartbreaking tribute on their website to their former anchor where they recalled his career and working with him. They called him hard-working and well-respected by professional players and coaches.Don Shane (Image via Twitter/ @parkerandtheman)They pointed out his helpful nature and his brilliant mind, stating:"He was supportive of worthy causes and also helped mentor dozens of student interns in the sports department over the years – many of whom went on to fulfill career dreams and aspirations of their own in the business."Don Shane's family is yet to share the cause of his death. There were reports that he was sick for some time following his retirement, but the exact illness remains unconfirmed. A few unsubstantiated rumors claim the sportscaster was suffering from Parkinson's disease and an early onset of dementia.The sports news anchor is survived by his wife of 38 years, Mona, two children, and grandchildren.