Joe “Pigskin” Pete was about football, he was about life and laughter and friendship; but most of all — above end of game scores and after game highlights — he was about family.
Local sports talk radio personality Pete died Thursday afternoon at the Cleve- land Metro-Health Medical Center after a lengthy illness, his friends and family report. He was 45 years old.
Pete earned local fame for his commentary on “The Sports Report” radio show on Star 97.1.
Friend Paul Demshar said Pete lived his life to the fullest, even at the very end.
“It is just heartbreaking to know he passed like this,” Demshar said. “He told me not long ago that he was dying. I fluffed it off, thinking, you know, no way. He asked me to make sure I took care of his family.”
Pete is survived by his wife Pam and their daughters Abby, 15 and Julia, 11.
“He just cared for people,” he said. “He was a caring person and everyone else’s family meant a lot to him, too. He was able to take time to listen to you, always. Everything about Joe was family.”
Demshar said Pete’s larger-than-life persona on the radio translated into his everyday life.
“Joe was a good guy, a good family man. He was down to earth and happy-go-lucky. You could laugh with Joe, but you could always talk to Joe about anything,” he said.
Ashtabula Star Beacon Sports Editor Don McCormack said Pete was a champion for Ashtabula County’s student athletes.
“With the passing of Joe and (sports writer) Karl Pearson in the last five months, the student-athletes of Ashtabula County have lost their two biggest benefactors,” he said. “Joe was everyone's buddy — everyone's friend and, like Karl, the biggest part of him was his heart, and there wasn't a person in this world — especially a young person — he would not help if he knew they needed it.”
McCormack said while Pete’s radio show was an accomplishment, it is his family that is Pete’s legacy.
“Though he was known by everyone for his work in the media, be it on the radio with his high school football or basketball broadcasts or his popular radio show, ‘The Sports Report,’ it was his family who meant the most to Joe,” he said. “He absolutely adored his dear wife, Pam, and his daughters, Abby and Julia, and they were the most important people in his life. We spent many a late night in phone conversations and there wasn’t a single time Joe didn't talk about how much he loved his wife and ‘his beautiful girls.’”
William Seeds, who often joined Pete on his radio show, said his friend had many health issues.
“Joe had a very difficult time battling many medical problems throughout the years,” Seeds said. “He never let these issues stop him from sharing his love with his family and sharing his passion to promote excellence in scholastics and sports in our youth of Ashtabula County.”
Pete’s lifelong friend Steve McClure said he counted Pete when he counted his family.
“Joe was like family to me, he really was,” he said.
McClure said Pete saw the future when he watched high school sports.
“Only the good die young and our county has really lost a legend with this man,” he said. “Joe did so much for this community, especially for high school sports. He saw those students as our future.”
McClure said you never had to wonder what Pete was thinking, because he was always talking.
“You never had to worry about what Joe was thinking, that’s for sure,” he said. “He was very honest and forthright. He was a great person. He was a joy to be around.”
McClure said Pete’s spirit will be missed, but never forgotten.
“We have lost a legend. There will never be another Joe Pete Jr.,” he said.
Local News
County loses longtime voice of sports
Joe ‘Pigskin’ Pete dies at age 45
- Local News
-
-
Six ready to interview for Buckeye’s super job
The Buckeye Local Board of Education will conduct interviews with six superintendent hopefuls next week, said Board President Jacqueline Hillyer.
-
Shooting suspect to be tried as adult
A 17-year-old will be tried as an adult in the school shooting deaths of three students, a juvenile court judge ruled Thursday after hearing a sheriff’s deputy describe how the teen wore a T-shirt with the word “Killer” and admitted shooting people.
-
Ohio EPA takes AIM at site of hazardous wastes
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency staff members returned this week to the site of the now-bankrupt Ashtabula Iron and Metal on West 30th Street to take samples of the unknown liquids and analyze hazardous wastes, asbestos and other potential health and environmental concerns.
-
Commissioners look at selling nursing beds
Commissioners have retained the services of a law firm that specializes in the sale of excess nursing home beds as the board looks at ways to raise additional revenues.
-
Conneaut looks at demolition funds
The city is making preparations to secure its share of nearly $692,000 in demolition funds expected to be Ashtabula County’s portion of a multi-billion dollar settlement with national mortgage lenders.
-
Volunteers get more help than needed at rescue spot
Despite their good intentions, Edward and Mary proved more hindrance than help to the Conneaut KeyBank employees lending a helping hand Thursday to a farm animal rescue operation in Kingsville Township.
-
220 graduate at Lakeside
Thursday night was a time of pomp, circumstance and smiles as 220 seniors graduated from Lakeside High School.
-
Lost money?
There is no map, and “X” may not mark the spot, but hundreds of Ashtabula County residents may have unclaimed cash ready and waiting for them through the Ohio Department of Commerce.
-
Lane to be tried as adult in Chardon High shooting
A 17-year-old boy will be tried as an adult in the school shooting deaths of three students, a juvenile court judge ruled Thursday.
-
Happy Hearts School holds commencement for its Class of 2012
As commencement exercises go in Ashtabula County, the one at Happy Hearts School was small, with just five students.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Six ready to interview for Buckeye’s super job
