Richard Stoffiere

Richard Stoffiere passed away on October 6, 2022, at the age of 78.

Where he was born, where he lived, who preceded  him and who is still here is less important than who he was. If you were lucky enough to know Rick, you will understand. His time with us can be summed up in three words: He really lived.

We are honoring Rick’s wishes by not holding services. If you want to remember our husband, father, and grandfather, do not send flowers or food or words of peace. Take a drive to Ohiopyle for no reason. Eat a Jim’s hot dog. Go for a walk at South Park on a sunny afternoon. Visit the Jersey shore. Play a round of golf. Grab some Dunkin Donuts on a random Wednesday. Sit on your porch and watch a sunset with the person you love. Call your kids and grandkids. Make a joke. Put salt on your watermelon (and everything, actually). Take a cruise. Hold hands with your spouse no matter how old you are. Help a neighbor. Show the people that you care for you love them at every opportunity. Say I love you to those you truly do.

In short – live. Every day and in every way. Really live.

The cancer that eventually got the best of him did not win. He did not lose a fight, nor a battle. There was no weakness. He won. By staying the person he was his whole life and by continuing to LIVE, he won. He didn’t move mountains, but he left the World a better place than he found it. And after all, isn’t that what this crazy thing called life is all about?

If you feel the desire to help someone and remember Rick, donations can be made to the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center online at https://hillmanresearch.upmc.edu/giving/. You can choose to designate a donation to assist in cancer research or to support patient care. The people at Hillman did an incredible job for Rick and gave us more time with him. Not more than we hoped, but definitely more than we expected. They can use the help.