'LONG HAIRED PETE.' Friends of Pete Reed left a memorial to honor his death on a street corner in Ballard. Reed was homeless and was know for selling copies of Reel Change on Market Street. Dean Wong photo.
When Pete Reed, a vendor for the homeless newspaper "Reel Change" passed away recently, his friends started a memorial for him at the northwest corner of Market Street and 22nd Avenue Northwest.
Reed was better known as "Long Haired Pete," on the streets of Ballard.
According to the King County Medical Examiner's office, Reed was 52 years old. The cause of death has not been determined and is pending a toxicology report that can take several weeks.
Guitar Doug, a member of the rock band The Insurgents said he put up the memorial in memory of Reed.
"I got to know Reed after passing him often on the street as he sold copies of the newspaper." said Guitar Doug. "Pete always asked me about my latest musical projects or my motorcycles. I personally loved to talk with Pete and will miss him,"
When Guitar Doug had his instrument with him, he would play songs for Reed.
"He loved to sing along," said Guitar Doug. The last song he played for Reed was the Rolling Stone's "You Can't Always Get What You Want."
A man who only gave his first name, Wayne, said Reed was a good guy.
"He would give you the shirt off his back. He was a hell of a nice guy.
Wayne first met Reed 20 years ago.
"I took him under my wing when he got here. He was a great human being, he was emotional and sensitive," Wayne said.
Lauryth Dwyer, an employee at Ballard Blossom left a message at the memorial. She often walked by Reed during the lunch hour as he sold the newspaper.
"I would see him there, he seemed like a decent sort of guy," she said.
Guitar Doug went into Ballard Blossom to buy some inexpensive flowers for the memorial. Dwyer said the store had some left over flowers from an arrangement and donated them.
On Dwyer's note she wrote, "He always had a smile for me even though I never bought his paper. I'm sorry he's gone. May he rest in eternal peace. Gone, but not forgotten."
A benefit concert "Guitar Doug's Rock and Roll Sunday," on June 3 will raise money to buy sleeping bags for the homeless in Ballard. The show starts at 9 p.m. at the Fun House, 206 5th Avenue N. Admission is $5.
Dean Wong may be reached at 783-1244 or deanw@robinsonnews.com
