Pete Melrose

John Peter “Pete” Melrose, of Fort Mill, SC, passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren on Saturday, July 1, 2023 at the age of 80. He was born on September 27, 1942 in Huntington, NY to John J. Melrose and Grace M. Milliken, both of whom preceded him in death.

After a long career as Chief Information Officer at various hospital systems and Healthcare IT Consultant spanning more than 4 decades, Pete continued his passion project of developing innovative healthcare tools to enhance patient care and safety as well as alleviate the burdens of cognitive overload on physicians. He received a patent for his project in 2001 and worked tirelessly to share it with providers and innovators around the world. Although he was not able to see his project to fruition in his lifetime, we know that he planted many seeds of knowledge, wisdom and inspiration to improve healthcare in the future.

Pete loved sailing, listening to many types of music, planting flowers and landscaping, watching musicals, going to the botanical gardens and dancing with his wife, tutoring and mentoring children, and he was an incredibly talented piano player. He used his musical gifts to touch so many lives…from playing at ovarian cancer fundraising events to memory care facilities; he brought joy, light, love and healing to so many. We loved it most when he played Christmas carols on our piano during the holidays!

In addition to his professional career, Pete was a CHAMPION in every sense of the word: he championed women’s rights, childhood education, social equity, quality healthcare, and most importantly, he was a champion for his family. He never wasted an opportunity to provide unconditional love, support, encouragement, and advice, and he would do anything to lift us up and help us achieve our full potential. Family was the foundation on which his life was built.

Pete leaves a strong legacy for his family: he communicated regularly with us via thoughtprovoking emails regarding family matters because, as he always said, “FAMILY MATTERS”. He also encouraged communication, connection, trust and love until his very last days; we will cherish this forever and carry it on in our hearts every day.

Pete is survived by his wife, Joan C. Melrose, the love of his life for more than 60 years. He is also survived by his son, J. William (Bill) Melrose and wife Lisa; daughter Sarah J. Noonan and husband Mike; siblings Paul J. Melrose and wife Sue, Pamela J. Meding and husband Mike, and Polly Melrose Howard and husband Chuck; sister-in-law and brotherin-law Ginny and Vince Mastrianni; grandchildren Erin Hartley and husband Chris; J. Andrew Melrose and wife Grace; Abigail Keeler and husband David; and Nicholas J. Melrose; Aunt Helen Melrose Sears ; nieces & nephews, Rebecca J. Melrose and fiancé April Anderson; Ian Melrose and wife Cindy; Michael Magnetti and wife Becca; Christie Ingraham and husband Jonathan; several great nieces and nephews, and many friends, both new and old.

The family would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all who cared for Pete over the last few months with compassion, expertise, and empathy: Dr. Dino Kanelos and his staff, the team at Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine including Justin Corbin, PA-C and Dr. Michael Bohl; the medical team in the Emergency Department and on the 9th Floor at Atrium Health CMC Main Hospital; and Gentiva Hospice of Rock Hill, SC. Your kindness will live in our hearts always because you helped make our most difficult days more bearable!

A memorial service to celebrate Pete’s life will be held on Friday, July 14th, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Palmetto Funeral Home (2049 Carolina Place Drive, Fort Mill, SC 29708)

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance: www.mnovarian.org 4604 Chicago Ave., Minneapolis MN 55407