04/19/2022
For those of you in or from La Mirada that knew my dad, Gary Piepho, I want to share that he lost his tough battle with Brain cancer over the past year and passed away last night April 18, 2022.
He was born June 15, 1940 although 81 years old, he was still the strongest man both physically and mentally, even just a year ago. He became confused and disoriented so quickly and I was able to bring him home with me and my daughter for treatment at City Of Hope, which was phenomenal. They did what they could and he was in remission after radiation but succumbed to its return months later with many other medical issues accompanying it.
He was never in much pain from the cancer but if you know my dad, he let everyone know when he was in pain due to procedures. His amazing sense of humor and sarcasm were thrown in wherever possible stating “take it easy!! don’t hurt my old bod” then he’d laugh.
As tough as he was, I know he was scared. Not for himself but didn’t want to leave me, his granddaughter and especially his dog Willow.
If you ask a thousand people who Gary Piepho was, they’d all give you a different answer…
A coach with La Mirada Little League, A great friend, A great man, A strong Marine, A super softie who teared up over anything cute or sad or just hit his heart in some way, A sarcastic yet funny guy always, A Singer /Crooner, A man of integrity, A son, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, who loved all of his family deeply, A great dad and grandfather who was so loved and appreciated. He was all these things and so much more.
From the time he was young he tested the limits and escaped trouble… most of the time. Growing up in Iowa and Minnesota he had so many stories and a love for the simple life there. He told stories of his singing career and how he loved it so, his Marine days and some of the shenanigans he participated in (and instigated mostly) and his life the last 17 years in Minnesota that he loved so much.`
The best time of his life would be coaching kids at Behringer field in La Mirada when times were different and people were there for the kids to have fun, for the most part. He would get frustrated when the kids were yelled at, pushed too hard or not played because maybe they weren’t the best… To my dad, they were kids who all deserved to play with dignity and respect. Yes, teach them and push them to their abilities but let them be kids. Things changed for him after 30 years of volunteering as coach, manager, player agent, and all the other jobs he had to take on. He wouldn’t have traded a thing though. He loved his baseball kids and often talked about them with fondness and tears in his eyes. The best time of his life without a doubt. Thank you all for giving him that.
He also loved to sing and was fantastic at it. He was a crooner sounding like Sinatra and sang all of the time. Though I remember him singing in Daffy Duck and Sylvester the cat voices growing up, when I heard him sing seriously on stage at 13, I was shocked and amazed and although he would tell you I laughed hysterically, which I did because I wasn’t ready for that voice, I knew my dad was doing what he loved and should have done for a living. Every day on the way to Radiation and at home we would play Sinatra and he would sing… it was so beautiful. He has videos of his last concert on YouTube.
My dad didn’t want to bother people with a sad service or burial and wished to be useful and have his body donated to science to help up and coming doctors. He laughed that maybe he will be a part of medical miracles to come.
He was the best and will be missed and thought about every day.
I feel as though we should have a celebration of life, a remembrance for my dad for anyone who knew my dad and would like to come by… we would love to see you. Please share with those who may have known him, Thank You.
May 14th from 12pm to 4pm.
14522 Biola Ave, La Mirada.
