“Melanie, I love you. I would give up my life for you.” “Why Peter, why do you always say that?” “Because it is true.” These words, exchanged between Melanie Safka and her husband, Peter Schekeryk, encapsulate a love story that was, in Melanie’s own words, “crazy beyond crazy love.” For 45 years, Peter Schekeryk was not just Melanie’s husband, but her partner, friend, the father of their children, and the unwavering force behind her extraordinary career. This is the tale of his passing, shared by Melanie in a poignant reflection from her website, a story of love, loss, and the enduring legacy of Peter Schekeryk.
Peter Schekeryk’s final journey concluded unexpectedly during Melanie’s “Working Legend Tour” in November 2010. What began as a routine stop at a Whole Foods in Framingham, Massachusetts, turned into an unimaginable tragedy. Peter had dropped Melanie off, mentioning a quick errand to Best Buy for a new phone, promising to return shortly. As Melanie waited in the store’s café, a growing unease settled upon her. Hours passed, and Peter didn’t return, his calls going straight to voicemail. Outside, amidst the autumnal decorations of pumpkins and mums, her apprehension escalated. The arrival of two police cars shattered any remaining hope.
The devastating news was delivered with gentle experience: “Are you Melanie Schekeryk?” “Is he all right?” Melanie asked, already knowing the answer. “No,” the policeman replied. Her world tilted. Peter, her Peter the Great, was gone. He had collapsed at Best Buy. The young salesman who had been assisting him recounted Peter’s last moments. Even in his final breaths, Peter Schekeryk was Melanie’s biggest fan, her ardent admirer. He had been enthusiastically telling the salesman about Melanie, about her groundbreaking role in concert lighting since Woodstock. His last words, “It was Melanie…”, spoken as he was being helped, painted a vivid picture of a man whose life was deeply intertwined with his love for his wife and her music.
Two nights later, despite the profound grief, Melanie took to the stage with her son, Beau Jarred. Canceling the show was never an option; Peter wouldn’t have wanted it. In a testament to their shared life and Peter’s unwavering belief in her, Melanie performed, feeling his presence beside her. Peter Schekeryk was more than just a manager; he was the architect of Melanie’s career, her number one producer, and the love of her life. From an immigrant refugee to a pivotal figure in the music industry, Peter’s journey was an extraordinary tale in itself. Melanie recognized this, lamenting that she hadn’t written the book Peter always urged her to create, realizing now that Peter himself was the story.
Melanie’s reflection poignantly touches upon the universal truth of mortality. She muses on how society often shies away from the topic of death, when perhaps it should be a fundamental lesson from the start. “Good Morning, children you were born and someday you will be unborn. Get to know who you are and love everyone because we are all in this together.” Peter Schekeryk’s passing serves as a stark reminder of life’s fragility and the importance of cherishing love and connection.
While the pain of loss is palpable, Melanie’s words ultimately celebrate a lifetime of extraordinary love. Peter Schekeryk’s legacy is deeply embedded in Melanie’s music and life story. He was the quiet force, the unwavering supporter, and the passionate advocate who helped shape Melanie’s remarkable career. This “last tale from the Roadburn Café” is not just a story of grief, but a powerful testament to an enduring love story, a story that continues to resonate through Melanie’s music and memory of Peter Schekeryk, the man who believed in her, loved her fiercely, and whose story, though ending too soon, will forever be intertwined with hers.
