March 2, 1940 – October 30, 2021
Steve Driggers, beloved husband of Penny Driggers, passed away peacefully with loving care from family, Accel at Longmont, and TRU Community Care Hospice. He was predeceased by his parents Clyde Driggers and Flora (Parent) Driggers, and sister Diane Herbst. Born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut, Steve earned a BS in Education from the University of Connecticut, and two Masters degrees from Central Connecticut State University. He spent his entire career educating fourth and sixth graders at both East Farms and West District Schools in Farmington, Connecticut. Besides teaching, he raised animals and grew organic vegetables on 20 acres in Glastonbury.
Additionally, he graduated from the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy in 1985 and had a thriving second career. A few years after Steve and Penny married in 1986, he retired and they moved to a five-acre property in Holualoa on the island of Hawai’i. Forever the farmer, he grew Kona coffee. Steve also worked at Hawaiian Gardens Nursery before agreeing to run the greenhouse at pacemaker inventor Dr. Earl Bakken’s Kiholo Bay estate. In 1998 they moved to Cape Cod, Massachusetts then back to Connecticut’s Farmington Valley.
In 2010 Steve and Penny moved to Longmont, Colorado to be closer to his step-daughter Jennifer and her family. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s shortly after the move, but that didn’t stop him from continuing his love of gardening. He was active in the Longmont Parkinson’s Support Group and started a jigsaw puzzle exchange for the members. He is survived by step-daughter Jennifer Peers, her husband Eric Peers and their daughter Allison; three daughters, Deborah Zagala and Naomi Soliz of Texas, and Cynthia Wilson of Colorado; and numerous cousins, nieces and grandchildren. A private family celebration of Steve’s life will be held.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Steve’s memory may be made to:
TRU Community Care, 2594 Trailridge Drive East, Lafayette, CO 80026, (www.trucare.org/donate); Parkinson’s Association of the Rockies, 13255 Colorado Blvd., Suite 204B, Denver, Colorado 80222, (parkinsonrockies.org) ; or the charity of choice.
Oh Penny we are so sorry for your loss. Steve was a wonderful person. We will always remember his smile and attitude toward life. Our love and prayers are with you. Tom and Karen Hubner
Penny, I am so sorry for your loss of such a wonderful man! I am also sorry I didn’t reply in a more timely manner to your first email so that hugs would have reached Steve! He was such a fighter over these last many years!
I have many memories of when the 4 of us spent time together, but my fondest and most vivid memory is of our visit to your “plantation” in Hawaii. We not only had on-the-spot education of coffee growing, but John never forgot the time he and Steve cut down a huge bunch of bananas from a tree on your property!
May Steve rest in peace, and may the many wonderful memories of your years together keep you smiling in between the tears.
My condolences to the Driggers family on the passing of Steve. He was my favorite teacher, teaching fourth grade at Bridlepath elementary school in West Hartford, CT in 1964-65. I remember his passion in teaching us geology and directing our class play of Mary Poppins. He made a strong impression on many of us. Glad to hear he led a very interesting exciting life with many friends. Jim Brielmann
I will always remember Steve for the ways he treated others: he was invariably kind without being sappy, generous with interesting ideas about many subjects and experiences, and he related to you as you were as a person. I will think about him as a man of the soil and growing plants who moved and lived in that world at levels beyond my understandings. And I will remember him as a gentleman who lived gracefully in the world.
Deb and I think about how well matched the two of you are and how much we enjoyed our times together!
I never met Steve in person but I had the pleasure of speaking with him on the phone weekly over the last few years when he would call to place his milk order.
He was the kindest man and always had a wonderful laugh that made my day, I will miss seeing his name come up on caller ID and hearing him say “well hello Jennifer” and asking for his chocolate milk and half and half for his Penny.
Thank you Penny for letting us know and you are in our thoughts and prayers
Longmont Dairy
I was fortunate to have Mr. Driggers as my 4th and 6th-grade teacher when I attended West District School in the early 1980s. My memories of him are all fond and he made learning enjoyable, no matter the topic. It has been many years since I last saw him, but he will never be forgotten. My condolences to his family.
I am saddened to learn of the loss of Steve Driggers. We had the fortunate opportunity to be The Driggers’ neighbors while they farmed the 20 acres in Glastonbury, CT.
Steve had a huge heart and was always available to help anyone in need. Our families farmed communally and I have vivid memories of our children going into the gardens for “snacks” throughout the day. That brought such joy to Steve. I will miss his warm, ever present smile. Goodbye, Steve.
I am forever grateful for those memories on the farm and the love of land, plants , rocks and minerals gifted to me through my Dad. Rest now.
Naomi Soliz
Hi Mrs Peltzer, ( sorry that is how I remember you) ,
Our families were so close and I have incredible memories to cherish. You were such a great friend!
Love, Naomi
I had Mr. Driggers as my 6th grade teacher at Braeburn in West Hartford (1962-63) and remember him as a kind and thoughtful teacher. My sincere condolences on your family’s loss.
Dad raised us to be self sufficient through gardening and farming. I remember many times when he came home from auction and his jacket would be moving. A Nubian goat, baby chick’s, and rabbits. I remember searching for Garnets along the rail road tracks (I don’t know where) and going to Rhode Island in October to search for Scallops and Co hogs. That water was cold cold cold,, but I rememberr the fun and laughter most of all. Good night Dad
It’s almost like a consolation prize: yes, you have a serious disease but then you join a support group and wind up making good friends that you otherwise may never have met. I would not have wanted to miss meeting the inimitable Steve Driggers.
A sparkling wit, a deep repertoire of entertaining stories drawn from his several careers, a lover of the earth and of bringing forth its bounty, an infectious laugh, oft employed. A citizen of the old school, he was quick to offer help to friend, neighbor or stranger even as his own abilities declined.
In my view, he met Parkinson’s and life itself on his own terms. I don’t remember exactly how or when our lives merged, but I am forever glad that they did. Rest in pain-free peace, my friend.
Rich Lathrop
Our family will miss Steve very much. He was a great source of wisdom on all things plants. Steve found a kindred soul in our son, an avid Scout who eventually made Eagle Rank and had the opportunity to share stories with Steve about his own Eagle Scout journey years before. Nolan will treasure the stories and memorabilia that Steve shared. Will will all miss his smiling face and friendly conversation. Our sincere condolences to Penny and the rest of the family.