R.I.P: Drew Mello, WQCS Fort Pierce FL Morning Host

Drew Mello

Drew Mello, host of  non-com WQCS 88.9 FM's local broadcast of National Public Radio's "Morning Edition", had died  from congestive heart failure at age 65. The station's signal goes throughout the Treasure Coast and into southern Brevard County.

"He had to be up before sunrise, and he drove here (to Fort Pierce) from Sebastian," said Jill Roberts, news manager at the station told tcpalm.com. "But you wouldn't know that when he was on the air. He had a lot of important information to give to people. He was helping people start their days."

Mello had worked at stations in Miami and Fort Myers before arriving at WQCS in 2005, just before Hurricane Wilma rolled through the Treasure Coast.

"Whenever it was a serious story, he could let you know what was important without frightening you," Roberts said. "He had a good voice and good delivery."

Mello also hosted "Treasure Coast Happenings," a weekly public affairs show.

"Drew was a true original," said Stuart public relations consultant Pat Williams. "He had the news chops and gravitas for NPR, with a little added dash from his rock radio days. Nonprofits could count on Drew for solid, entertaining interviews.