Stephen Panepinto, 74, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away on Monday, March 16, 2015 at Buffalo General Hospital in Buffalo, NY. Born in Niagara Falls, NY he was the son of the late Stephen D. and Lucy (LaBarbera) Panepinto. Following the passing of his mother when he was only three months old, Stephen was also raised by his aunt Rose "Bena" LaBarbera.

Coach P, as he was affectionately known, was a lifelong resident of Niagara Falls, NY. He attended local schools and graduated from the former Trott Vocational High School in 1958. On June 29, 1978 he married Marcia (Kelman) Panepinto at the Wintergarden in Niagara Falls, NY. Steve was an Air Technician with the 107th Air National Guard, air refueling at the Niagara Falls Air Base for thirty five years until he retired in 2001 and was also an athletic coach at Niagara Falls High School for many years. He also owned and operated Panepinto's Wedding Service alongside his wife for many years.

Stephen was an outstanding athlete, excelling in football and slow pitch softball which he played for fifty two straight years beginning in 1947. In 1974 he began playing for the Chanute Airforce Base, later known as the 107th Air National Guard travel teams. Both the airbase and tournament teams he was a member of, won several Base Titles, three State Titles and came in third place for a National Title. He also had a lengthy and successful career as a highly respected coach for various local youth teams including Trott Vocational High School, the Niagara Cataracts 75 lb. division, the Niagara Falls Knights 125 lbs. division and for twenty four years he coached the Honey Allstars now known as the Sevenson Allstars. In addition Steve also coached baseball, basketball, floor hockey and volleyball for several area teams. Coach P was a member and served on the board of directors for local youth organizations including PAL, Hyde Park Babe Ruth Little League, Cataract Little Loop Football. In recognition of all his athletic accomplishments, Coach P was inducted into the Niagara Falls Old Timers Hall of Fame in 1999 and also was the recipient of the Pep DiRamio Service Award.

Stephen's family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to his cousin Ronald D'Girillo for his lifetime support and friendship, as well as the staff of the Schoellkopf Healthcare Facility, Buffalo General Hospital's sixth floor "MICU" staff and the Davita Kidney Care Center for their compassion and care.

In addition to his wife of thirty six years, Stephen is survived by four children Tammy (Jim Olander) Mayes, Tina (Joseph) Smeal, Robin (David) Beahen all of Niagara Falls, NY and Kevin (Deanna) Smith of Wheatfield, NY; seven grandchildren Christopher, Nicholas and Alexandra Mayes; Ashley, David, Nicole Beahen and Jacob Smith; his sister-in-law Kathleen (James) Milne, his brother-in-law William (Paula) Kelman and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by one brother Michael (Elda of Lewiston, NY) Panepinto and one brother-in-law John (Sharon of Las Vegas, NV) Kelman.

Visitation will be on Thursday from 3 – 8 p.m. at the M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY. Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, March 20th at 11 a.m. at St. Vincent De Paul at St. Leo's Church, 2748 Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY with Rev. Robert Stolinski officiating. EVERYONE PLEASE ASSEMBLE AT CHURCH. Interment in Memorial Park Cemetery, Lewiston, NY. Donations in memory of Mr. Panepinto may be made to the Niagara Falls Boys and Girls Club, 725 17th Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14301 or to the Niagara Falls High School Girls Softball Program, 4455 Porter Road, Niagara Falls, NY 14305.