Long-time Vindy sportswriter Pete Mollica passed away this morning.

A staffer from 1977 until he retired two years ago, Pete was still a familiar name on our sports pages after retirement. Last year at our inaugural Greatest Golfer of the Valley tournament, he put in as many hours as any of us that weekend.

His last byline was four weeks ago showcasing the launch of the Greatest juniors. He approached the story just as he had thousands before - "Hey - whatever you need ..."

He filed that last story on June 16 and went to the hospital the next day. The cancer he beat two years ago was back in full force.

He died at apprx 4 a.m. today.