Rafael Pineda, who served as a news anchor for Univision in the New York City area for over 40 years, has died. He was 88. He was pronounced dead at his residence in Florida on Jan. 25, Univision Nueva York confirmed in a Monday newscast. No cause of death has been released. “Univision 41 today announced with deep sadness the passing of Rafael Pineda, a longtime colleague, respected journalist and pioneering voice in Hispanic media whose legacy helped shape Spanish-language journalism in the United States,” the station said in a statement. “Throughout his distinguished career, he was recognized for his integrity, professionalism and unwavering commitment to the communities he served. He was among the first Hispanic television anchors to interview a sitting U.S. president, and his contributions to journalism earned him numerous honors.” Pineda helmed the news desk at the station from 1972 until his retirement in 2013. At the time of his departure, he was the longest-serving news anchor in New York television history — he was later surpassed by WNBC’s Chuck Scarborough. Born …