Stephen Richard Pratt

Stephen Richard “Steve” Pratt passed away on October 23, 2026, at the age of 60, following a courageous and determined battle with glioblastoma.

Steve is survived by his loving wife, Anna Pratt; his mother, Patsy Cliff; father, Richard Pratt; sisters, Kristin (Lee) Martin and Debbie Pratt; nieces, Bailey, Megan, and Sarah; and his beloved dog, Ruby, who held a special place in his heart.

A proud veteran of the United States Air Force, Steve served his country from 1984 to 1990, including a deployment to Germany. His patriotism and commitment to service continued long after his military career through his involvement with the Patriot Guard Riders, his volunteer work with Meals on Wheels, and his support of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Steve was always willing to lend a helping hand, share his knowledge, or offer encouragement to someone in need.

Steve embraced life with enthusiasm, a sense of adventure, and a wonderfully unique sense of humor. An avid motorcycle enthusiast, he loved riding motorcycles and racing dirt bikes, and he was a familiar face at Hogback Hill, where he volunteered as a motocross race flagger. When he wasn't on two wheels, he could often be found in his basement workshop woodworking, playing guitar and singing with his band, The Bare Naked Pocket Protectors, or enjoying karaoke with friends. Saturday nights frequently found him line dancing with his cherished Nashville's family, where he formed many meaningful friendships and shared countless laughs.

Steve also treasured the simpler pleasures in life, particularly fishing and boating on Grass Lake at the cottage his father built. He had a special affection for dogs of all kinds, though none more so than his beloved Ruby. Whether sharing a favorite hobby, teaching someone something new, or simply enjoying the company of family and friends, Steve found happiness in the experiences and relationships that made life meaningful.

As a Senior Software Engineer at PeerPlace, Steve was an integral part of the company’s success. He was exceptionally devoted to his work and took great pride in the responsibility entrusted to him. He maintained more than 200 databases and the supporting infrastructure, playing an indispensable role in keeping the company’s operations running smoothly. He was also instrumental in the successful launch of the PeerPlace Analytics platform, and his expertise and involvement extended to virtually every customer project. To his coworkers, he was much more than a colleague. He was a friend, a trusted teammate, and, to some, like a brother.

Those who knew Steve will especially remember his quick wit, playful sarcasm, and unmatched ability to deliver the most outrageous made-up facts with complete conviction. His coworkers affectionately dubbed these imaginative bits of misinformation “Prattistics,” a fitting tribute to a man who could turn an ordinary conversation into an unforgettable story. His humor was unmistakably his own, and the laughter he inspired will live on among all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

On October 22, 2024, Steve underwent his first craniotomy following a diagnosis of stage IV glioblastoma. Given a prognosis of approximately 18 months to two years, Steve was adamant that he would surpass those expectations. With the same determination, resilience, and stubborn spirit that defined so much of his life, he did exactly that, passing away two years and one day after his surgery. It was one final testament to his remarkable strength and unwavering will.

Steve's family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the neuro-oncology team at Strong Memorial Hospital for the extraordinary care, guidance, compassion, and generosity shown throughout his illness. Special thanks are extended to Lauryn Hemminger, Dana Langdon, Jacqueline Behr, and neurosurgeon Tyler Schmidt, as well as the dedicated nurses and staff of units 5.1600 and 5.3600. Steve developed a meaningful bond with his care team and placed his complete trust in them throughout his journey. His wife, Anna, is especially grateful for the dignity, respect, and genuine kindness with which they treated Steve during his courageous fight. Their compassion provided not only exceptional medical care, but also comfort, reassurance, and strength during an extraordinarily difficult time.

Steve will be remembered as a proud veteran, devoted husband, loving family member, loyal friend, and a man who lived life on his own terms. His adventurous spirit, generous heart, unforgettable humor, and determination in the face of adversity leave a lasting legacy. Though his time here was far too short, the memories he created and the lives he touched will continue to bring smiles, laughter, and comfort to those who loved him.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Steve's memory to the Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center Fund through Rochester Regional Health or to the Wilmot Cancer Institute in appreciation of the compassionate care he received and in support of others facing cancer.

A celebration of life will be held Sunday, December 27th at 2:00pm at Nashville's 4853 West Henrietta Road Henrietta, NY 14467.