Pilot Chemical Company is saddened to announce the passing of former Chairman and CEO Peter Lane Morrisroe on August 17, 2015, in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Mr. Morrisroe, 75, of La Quinta, Calif., was born December 2, 1939, to John and Barbara Morrisroe in Orange Township, N.J. Early in his life his parents moved to San Marino, Calif. He graduated from San Marino High School in 1957 and then attended Menlo College in Atherton, Calif. After Menlo, he returned to Los Angeles and went to work for Pilot in sales on the West Coast. He also enrolled at the University of Southern California, majoring in Business Administration. He graduated from U.S.C. in 1965 with a degree in Business Administration and continued his work at Pilot concentrating in sales, accounting, and finance. In 1980 he became General Manager of the Western Division of Pilot – giving him responsibility for Pilot’s California and Texas operations. In 1988 he became Chairman and CEO of Pilot – positions he held until he retired in 1999.
On the personal side, Mr. Morrisroe married Patricia McTaggert in 1966. The couple moved back to San Marino, Calif., where they raised their three boys – James, Patrick, and Casey. The family moved to Hayden Lake, Idaho, in 1985. In 1995 after their youngest son graduated from high school, Peter and Patricia moved to La Quinta, Calif. After Patricia passed away in 1999, Peter married Maria Morrisroe in July 2007. Peter and Maria raised Maria’s children in La Quinta until his death.
Mr. Morrisroe is survived by his wife, Maria Morrisroe; sons, James Morrisroe, Patrick Morrisroe, and Casey Morrisroe; stepchildren, Esabel Hernandez, Angelica Hernandez, Vanessa Vicuña, Ruby Vicuña, and Giovanni Vicuña; siblings, Paul Morrisroe, Nancy Lynn, and Ann Shenkin; 10 grandchildren; and 11 step-grandchildren.
All of us at Pilot are thankful to have had Peter’s leadership and guidance. He will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.