Al Roker had a tough day yesterday, attending the funereal of his longtime friend and mentor, TODAY weatherman Willard Scott, which fell on the 20th anniversary of 9/11.

Al, who replaced a then semi-retired Scott on TODAY in 1996, shared a touching post on Instagram alongside carousel of images of the duo posing together throughout the years.

She went on to remember the last time she had seen Willard, which was at a funeral for broadcaster Jim Vance in 2017. “Willard was as warm and loving and generous off camera as he was on.

Willard Scott, the legendary Today show weatherman, has died. He was 87.Al Roker confirmed Scott's death on Saturday by paying tribute to his former Today colleague on his Instagram.

Al Roker paid tribute to legendary TODAY weatherman Willard Scott who died on Saturday, Sept. 4 at 87. Al, who replaced a then semi-retired Scott on TODAY in 1996, shared a touching post on ...

Willard Scott passed peacefully at the age of 87 surrounded by family, including his daughters Sally and Mary and his lovely wife, Paris," Roker wrote. "He was truly my second dad and am where I ...

Though Scott semi-retired from the air in 1996, he continued to fill in for Al for the next 10 years. He wrapped his 65 year run with NBC, 35 of which were spent on TODAY, in 2015 when he ...