Celebrating the Life of
Steven Lance Perricone
November 13, 1968 — October 10, 2023
Obituary
Steven Lance Perricone passed away on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 in New York City at the age of 54. He was surrounded by his loved ones. He is survived by his wife Lacey (Dolan) of 7 years, his parents Philip and Nirma (Alvarez), his brother Mark, and his beloved animals, Penny (feline), and Buddy (canine).
Steve was born on November 13, 1968 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. After graduating from R.J. Reynolds High School (‘87), Steve’s next academic stop was Wake Forest University where he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon (DKE) fraternity and earned a BA in Political Sciences (‘91) with high honors. Harvard Business School is where he concluded his scholastic trek with an MBA (‘98). This journey enabled a successful career in venture capital and investment banking. Steve spent many years at Deutsche Bank Equity Derivatives Group as a Managing Director and Serrano Ventures, LLC as a Partner before founding and managing Pilot Mountain Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm.
A quaint brownstone in the East Village in New York City is where Steve has called home for nearly three decades. He was a true New Yorker; he embraced the arts, his neighborhood haunts, the restaurant scenes, and being a proud Yankees season ticket holder for 25 years. It is in New York City where he met and married his adoring wife, Lacey. Steve was also an avid traveler.
Steve’s road in life saw many philanthropic stops. He supported a variety of programs and served as a board member for several organizations. In his back yard, the University Settlement Society of New York and the Lower East Side Girls Club. At his alma mater, the Wake Forest University Center for Entrepreneurship, Deacon Club, Alumni Council, Young Alumni Advisory Council, and Member Board of Trustees.
Above all, Steve will be remembered for his incredible generosity, fierce loyalty, and his loving nature.
Memories and Condolences
Please share a photo or video, or post a heartfelt condolence to the family.
Steve and I go back to 4th grade; he was central to my childhood friend group - always cool and friendly, a standout student and a high pick for kickball – and for an added note of intrigue, he was a Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan. Absolutely everyone loved him. After ninth grade, the school system reorganized, so we went to different high schools and saw each other less and less, but it was always great seeing Steve, including on our last visit, which was in Charlottesville a few years ago – esteemed business professor Mary Margaret Frank (another OG) had invited him for a guest lecture, and I joined them for drinks. I hardly remember anything anyone said that night, only what a joy it was to spend time with them, and especially, to see Steve after so many years. I wish I had more specific memories from the old days, and I wish I had known Steve better in our grown-up years, but hearing everyone else’s stories about their friendships with Steve bring back what a stand-up guy he was, and I’m happy to know he had a rich life, a charmed life, and that he and Lacey had found each other and enjoyed some wonderful years together. My heart goes out to her, to Steve’s friends and colleagues, and especially, to the Perricones.
I went to Wake Forest with Steve and grew to know him much better over the years that followed our college days. He was an important part of my life in so many ways. We shared celebrations in Winston-Salem, Vegas, NYC, South Beach, Ireland, Belize, and many other venues. He was open minded, kind and generous. He made me feel included. I will miss him.
Such a big loss for The Machine! Steve was a great teammate and will be missed. He. Leach and Wagg will be warming up waiting for the rest of us. My condolences Dr. Perricone.
Thanks for making the memorial service available to out of town folks. It was amazing. Kent, Rick and family … Steve would have been so touched to hear what you shared about him. Steve was such an authentically good person. He will be missed by so many. It gives me great hope knowing such people exist and I feel blessed to have known Steve. Hugs to all family and friends.
Sending my heartfelt condolences, love, and support to the Perricones and Lacey for this tragic loss. I grew up with Steve in W-S and remember him fondly as the "Italian Stallion" from elementary school days. We reconnected recently over Zoom and Steve was as warm, generous, brilliant, and positive as always...the memorial today was a beautiful tribute to a beautiful person. May we all continue to celebrate Steve's kind and loving soul in ways that would make him proud. Rest in peace, dear friend. x
My sincere condolences to you Lacey, Mr & Mrs Perricone and brother Mark. Steve was truly a unique man. humble, calm, deliberate, kind, generous... He was my HBS classmate and friend. And I am a better person having known him. He will be missed and remembered.
Our sincerest condolences to Lacey and Steve’s family. He was a great guy.
Steve was awesome.
Steve: you will be missed, my friend. I will always cherish the memories of our days and nights in business school together discussing life, the universe and everything.
I knew Steve as a HBS 98 classmate and as a fellow venture capitalist. He was a straight shooter and someone I always enjoyed comparing notes with. He helped me out when I returned from Israel back in 2001 and was looking for a new job. Please accept my condolences.
I am so sorry to hear this news. I got to know Steve on the WFU Entrepreneurship Advisory Council. We will miss him dearly and I would like to express my sympathy to his family. Melissa Hawks
I am so sad to hear of Steve’s passing. I was at Wake Forest with Steve, same class of ‘91. I even had the pleasure of having his father as my sociology professor. Steve was the kindest, most thoughtful guy. I had the utmost respect for Steve and always thought so fondly of him. I’m so sorry for your loss and hope the memories that you have with him will sustain you as you mourn his passing.
I am very sorry for your loss, Steve’s untimely departure is a great loss for all of us who knew him and were fortunate to be amongst his friends.
I can’t believe the suddenness of this tragedy. I met Steve in high school at RJR He was one of the nicest people I ever met. Quick with a smile and a great laugh. A wonderful human being who will be missed tremendously. The Roses will be praying for his family Dr. George Rose
Steve, I'm going to miss you so much. I love you.
Sitting on your fire escape and you send this beautiful sunset. Thank you for the reminder that you will always be watching over us! And thank you for loving my best friend so unconditionally, promise to carry your legacy in my heart forever 💕
Dear Nirma and Philip. Terri and I are so sad to hear of your son’s passing. I don’t think we ever had the pleasure of meeting him, but the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree and we have the highest regard for you both. Our deepest, heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to you and your families. Terri and Jerry Garcia
So sad to hear about this. I’ve known Steve since I grew up in WS, then at WFU. He was always smiling, sharing funny stories and making the conversation uplifting and positive regardless of the topic. My sincere condolences go out to his family.
