To all of Steve’s friends,
A short time ago, Steve contacted me (Jimmy Dagon) regarding his funeral arrangements. We have been dear, dear friends for nearly 50 years and for many years lived right next door to each other in Hornell, NY. For about 25 years (until Steve retired and moved to Rochester) we got together every Wednesday evening to have a beer or two. I want to share with all of you the following message (in part) that I received from Steve:
Hi Jimmy,
Let me start by telling you that you are one of the dearest friends I have ever had. Thank you for everything you have ever done for me and especially for your unwavering love. I am now in the process of entering Hospice. I’m comfortable, relatively pain free, in excellent spirits and ready for what the future holds.
Since you will be writing my obituary, I want to give you some information. You may use it any way you wish. You are the only person who will be writing my obituary. First, just like Pati’s obituary — PLEASE KEEP IT SHORT! Pati & I both felt that anyone who knew us is aware of what we have done. If they didn’t know us they wouldn’t be reading the obituary in the first place.
The following was written by Steve:
Hornell — Chautauqua — Rochester
W. Stephen “Steve” Piper, 80, died peacefully early Monday morning (October 20, 2025) after a yearlong skirmish with esophageal cancer.
He was born on June 4, 1945 in Uniontown, PA to Warren and Rhoda (Nixon) Piper. On August 16, 1974 he was married to Patricia “Pati” (Lewis) Piper who predeceased him in 2022.
Pati & Steve were teachers at Hornell High school for over 35 years.
Steve was raised by amazing parents, married an amazing woman, taught amazing students, had amazing friends and relatives, spent 80 amazing summers at Chautauqua Institution, and, quite simply, lived an amazing life.
Always considering himself an overachiever, he cites his unwritten epitaph as:
“The average male life expectancy is 75.4 years. I made it to 80. I WIN!”
At Steve’s request there will be no calling hours or services.
Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.
Steve requests that in lieu of flowers or memorial contributions, you spend an hour or so listening to classical music. Steve recommends the Mozart Requiem in D minor or Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D minor.
To leave an online condolence or share a memory, visit www.dagonfuneralhome.com.
