John Peter Fox III, known to all as Pete, died peacefully at his home on Sunday, May 28, 2017, after a long and courageous fight against cancer. Pete, 46, was born in Pensacola to Captain John Peter Fox, Jr. and Geraldine Twiford Fox. He grew up in nearby Gulf Breeze, where he attended Gulf Breeze High School, excelling at sports. He graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Finance. While at UF, Pete was the president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and an active member of Florida Blue Key. He also met his wife, Julie Elizabeth Knight, there, whom he married on Oct. 16, 1993 and often called “the best sale of his life.”
He spent the majority of his professional career at Boston Scientific Corporation, where he ultimately served as vice president of corporate sales and healthcare solutions. He also helped to found Informed Clinical Sciences, a web-based healthcare platform for physicians and patients.
Instead of allowing his 15-year battle with metastatic Ewings sarcoma to serve as an impediment in life, Pete chose to use it as a motivator. He was a fundraiser, volunteer and spokesperson for The Jimmy Fund in support of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, which he initially credited with saving his life. More recently, he worked with Golf Fights Cancer to create The Gators Good Guys Collegiate Cup golf tournament, expected to launch its first event this fall. The program has the dual goal of promoting volunteerism and philanthropy in young adults while also raising money for cancer-supporting charitable organizations.
Pete will always be remembered for his smiling face, passion for life and joyful spirit. In fact, Boston Scientific will soon be announcing that it is renaming its Corporate Accounts Winning Spirit Award after Pete because it is given to someone who exemplifies enthusiasm, high performance, passion, teamwork and a focus on the customer. As an avid supporter of the Florida Gators, the UF golf team will also award the inaugural Pete Fox Award this year to the team member who exemplifies how Pete lived his life, with selflessness, generosity, character, and an understanding of the value of every day.
Pete will be deeply missed and remembered by his wife of 23 years, Julie Knight Fox; his two children, John “Jack” Peter Fox IV and Elizabeth Everett Fox; and his sister, Pamela Ann Fox. With his focus on living every day, Pete enjoyed supporting his children in their chosen activities, including numerous hours with Boy Scouts of America, where Jack became an Eagle Scout, and cheering on Elizabeth’s Ponte Vedra High School Sharks softball team.
Pete was an active member of Christ Episcopal Church and held a strong faith in God. Services were held at Christ Episcopal Church, 400 San Juan Drive, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082, on Monday, June 5, 2017, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please honor Pete’s legacy by making a donation to Golf Fights Cancer, Good Guys Collegiate at 300 Arnold Palmer Blvd., Norton, MA 02766 or at www.golffightscancer.org. Please note “Pete Fox” on the memo line. Arrangements are under the direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 1701 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach, FL.
