Peter P. Mollica Sr, 66 of Niles died July 14, 2011 at University Hospitals of Cleveland.

He was born October 2, 1944 in Warren the son of Peter and Margaret Prinz Mollica.

A 1962 graduate of Niles McKinley High School, he played football and baseball for the Red Dragons and was a starter at defensive back for the 1961 football team that was voted state champs.

He began his sports writing career right out of high school with the Niles Daily Times while attending Youngstown State University. After graduation he landed his first full time position with The New Castle News for 13 years. He covered both high school and college sports, including The Westminster Titans championship run, and also New Castle native Chuck Tanner's hiring as manager of The Pittsburgh Pirates during Spring Training in 1977. In 1967 he won a Golden Quill Award for a series of minor sports reports in the New Castle Area.

In 1977 he was hired at The Youngstown Vindicator where for much of his career his main focus was on The Youngstown State University football team and their run of National Championship performances in the late 1990's. He also covered the YSU basketball teams, Mahoning Valley Scrappers, The LPGA whenever they came to the area, and in 2011 was inducted into The Mahoning Valley Curbstone Coaches Hall of Fame for his contributions in sports media.

Nationally he covered The Super Bowl, World Series, Kentucky Derby, NCAA Basketball Tournament, Indianapolis 500, and other major golf tournaments.

He was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Niles, an avid golfer, bocce player, and bowler as he carried a 200 average in many leagues.

Pete who always thought family was first, will be deeply missed by his wife and high school sweetheart Bonnie Trina Mollica whom he married July 4, 1964, a son Peter Mollica Jr. and his wife Carolyn of Niles, a daughter Mary Beidelschies and her husband Richard of Canfield, a sister Marion Wintucky and her husband Ed of Willoughby, Ohio, six grandchildren, Jeffrey and his wife Kayla, Tara, Jacob, Allee, Landon, Marco, and two great-grandchildren, Jeffrey and Addison.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

Friends may call from 2 to 5PM Sunday at The Joseph Rossi and Sons Funeral Home in Niles where the Mt. Carmel Bereavement Ministry will conduct prayers at 4:30PM.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 9:30AM Monday at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Niles, with Fr. Larry Frient officiating, preceded by a 9AM prayer service at the funeral home.

Burial will be in Niles City Cemetery.

Friends and family may view this obituary, sign the guestbook, and send e-mail condolences at www.josephrossifuneralhome.com.