'Pete's Peeps' strive to keep Leechburg native's memory alive

Pete Sharp was known to his family as “more than.”

“He was more than just a brother, more than just an uncle,” Pete’s brother, Joe Sharp said. “He was just more than that.”

Sharp is keeping the Leechburg native’s memory alive after Pete died last May from pancreatic cancer by creating a team and raising money for the annual Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Purple Stride event in Pittsburgh. PanCAN raises money for different aspects of fighting pancreatic cancer and offers free support and molecular testing through different programs.

The event is PanCAN’s largest fundraiser of the year and takes place in 60 locations around the country. Money from the event is dedicated to support programs, resources, testing and research that prioritizes early detection methods and new treatments.

Pancreatic cancer currently has a five-year survival rate of 13%.

Pete was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in April 2023.

“It was one of those deals where he wasn’t feeling well, but he thought he was just getting old,” Sharp said.

Sharp and his wife, Melissa, enthusiastically took on the role of Pete’s supporters. They convinced him to pursue treatment despite a bleak diagnosis from Pete’s doctors.

“We got a year out of him,” Sharp said. Pete died at age 59.

The couple and their children spent that year doing whatever activities Pete requested. He chose to relive memories he made with his niece, Megan, 19, and nephews Drew, 17, Jack, 15, and Nate, 21, while they were growing up.

“It was just spending time with us,” Sharp said.

Pete would regularly go camping, fishing and skiing with Sharp and his children over the years. He was able to get one last fishing trip and ski trip with his niece and nephews before he died.

Sharp said Pete was like a third parent to his children. He adored his nieces and nephews. Pete was a fixture in the audience of their plays and sporting events.

Pete lived in Leechburg until he was 35 before moving to Washington Township. Sharp, Pete and Pete’s twin brother, Pat, all graduated from Leechburg Area High School.

Pete worked at Pittsburgh Power for 37 years. He began at the company as a mechanic, becoming a specialist and one of the leading experts on Big Cam, N14 and other Cummins engines in the United States. Pete’s role in Pittsburgh Power expanded throughout the years, and he eventually became vice president.

Melissa Sharp found the PanCam walk last year. The family raised $10,000 for the event. Despite Pete not feeling up to participating, his family and friends did.

It took place about two weeks before Pete died.

Pete’s family will be raising money and participating in this year’s walk in his memory.

“My wife has a quote that she’s used in several fundraising (writings) that I think sums it up really nicely,” Joe Sharp said. “To be remembered is the greatest honor we can give to those that we have lost. That’s why we’re doing this.”

They want to continue to raise money and advocate for pancreatic cancer awareness and research so no other family has to experience the loss they did.

This year’s Purple Stride Pittsburgh event will take place on April 26 in Schenley Plaza. To register for the event, join the Sharps’ team, Pete’s Peeps, or to donate, visit PanCAN.org and click the tab for Purple Stride.