Jeffery Piroga

Jeffery Piroga, 68, passed away peacefully at home on January 25, 2026.

Jeff was born on January 1 in Sharon, Pennsylvania, and had the distinction of being featured in his hometown newspaper as the first baby born that year-a New Year's Day gift. He attended the Pennsylvania State University, where he was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and represented the Penn State chapter of the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society. Upon graduating with highest honors and a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, he moved to Texas to start his career and earn a master's degree in electrical engineering from Southern Methodist University, unsurprisingly also with honors.

Soon after moving to Texas during the summer of 1979, Jeff met his future wife, Emily. They married in 1984, and five years later welcomed their only child, Becky. A fiercely devoted father and husband, Jeff was known to leave even the most important executive meetings if he was needed at home. He was patient and helpful as a husband and father, and he provided a comfortable life for his family. His quick sense of humor was unmatched, and his signature soft chuckle always brought a smile to those around him.

Jeff's sharp intellect and thoughtful, analytical mind were admired by everyone who knew him. He built a successful career in telecommunications and engineering, a path that took his family from Texas to Florida, then back to Texas for good in 1993. After retiring from the corporate world, he was able to pursue a lifelong passion for teaching and tutoring mathematics. He opened one of the first franchises of Mathnasium (an after-school math-only learning center for grades K–12) in 2004 and helped its founder develop material for higher-level students including trigonometry, algebra II, and calculus. In his free time, Jeff enjoyed watching and playing golf, and participating in regional amateur radio operator events. He also loved games, puzzles, and trivia, and he was the kind of competitor that people hoped to have as a teammate-not an opponent!

Jeff is survived by his wife, Emily; daughter, Becky; brother, Jim Piroga; in-laws Liz Putthoff, Barbara Lightfoot, Cindy Self (Claiborne Self), and Mary Lynne Piroga; nieces and nephews Amy Rankin (Dereck Rankin), Jimmy Piroga, Michael Lightfoot (Lee Fitzgerald, Lewis Lightfoot), Brandon Self (Ellie Self, William Self, Celine Self), and Kristen Self (Alex Morvant, Amelia Morvant); and his beloved cat, Luna. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Anna Mae.

Service details will be shared with family and friends at a later date.