John E. Gaskill, better known as "Pete," was a member of several semi-professional baseball teams in the Portland area. Known as a prolific home run hitter, he was inducted into the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976.

The Gaskill family was part of the small, but strong, African American community in Portland, centered around Munjoy Hill. Pete Gaskill worked for Central Maine Power for 45 years, he also served as the Portland Harbor safety inspector for 20 years. Gaskill was married to Portland school teacher Marguerite Giro.