Dagan Isaiah Maxwell Piowaty

Dagan Isaiah Maxwell Piowaty passed away on July 16, 2023, at 25 years old.  Dagan will be remembered for, among other things, having an unusual, but amazing intellect.  He had many interests, ambitions, and dreams.  His favorite job was working as a Sushi Chef at Mo Mo West Japanese Restaurant in Pueblo West, CO.  One of his favorite crafts was knifemaking.  One of Dagan’s favorite activities was training at the Bendell Karate dojo in Pueblo West.

He was a gentle and loving child and young man.  He had a soft spot for all creatures, including insects, but especially loved his sweet dog, Zephyr.  He had a special relationship with everyone in the family, but especially with his 9-year-old Nephew, Zane Ashley, and his late “GG”.

Dagan is survived by his parents, Kevin Piowaty and Audrey Waring, as well as his sister Ivy Waring, his Nephew Zane Ashley, and his grandparents, Don and Katie Fredrickson and Barbara Ursick. His dog Zepher will also miss him dearly.

Dagan spent the past several years living with a psychosis spectrum disorder.  His illness went untreated despite the whole family desperately trying to get him help.  This resulted in grave disablement, homelessness, drug abuse, and finally death due to drug overdose. 

There will be a private celebration of life held soon.  As tragic as Dagan’s death is, the intent of this gathering will be to remember and share fond memories and our love for Dagan, instead of focusing on the tragedy of his death.  The family has decided not to make this gathering open to the public.  If you are not family, knew Dagan, and would like to attend, please contact the family at InMemOfDagan@gmail.com.

Schizophrenia & psychosis spectrum disorders are fundamentally brain disorders and are an ongoing nationwide epidemic.  Onset typically occurs between the ages of 15 and 28 and affects approximately 1 in 100 people; meaning everyone reading this likely knows or will know someone affected (in addition to Dagan).  The longer the disease goes untreated, the more brain damage occurs, making meaningful recovery difficult. 

Other serious brain disorders result in immediate emergency treatment and recovery, but our system continues to treat this disease as a behavioral health issue instead of a serious medical condition.  There are significant barriers to treatment for most individuals.  For example, one must overcome, or be lucky enough to not experience, the anosognosia commonly associated with the disease.  They must also survive the risky behaviors associated with the disease and survive often dangerous police interactions. Then they must somehow stumble into the right course of treatment to have a chance at meaningful recovery.  This is a treatable disease, and we can certainly do better!

The family is frequently asked, “What can I do for you?” and “Is there anything I can do for you?” or “Do you need anything?”  As for what you can do goes, we would appreciate it if folks made a tax-deductible donation to an organization we have carefully selected, which is fighting for meaningful policy, systemic, and other reform.  Hopefully, someday soon, other families and victims will not have to needlessly suffer this loss, and your contribution will go directly toward those efforts.  If you wish, pray that Dagan finds his beloved “GG” and gets to meet his Grandfather, Jim Piowaty in the afterlife.

To donate in Dagan’s Memory, please follow these instructions:

• Visit https://sczaction.org/donate/
• Choose your amount.
• Check box the “Dedicate my donation in honor or in memory of someone” box
• Choose the “In memory of” option.
• Type “Dagan Piowaty” on the “In memoriam of” line.
• For Person to Notify please type in either Kevin or Audrey.
• Leave Notify this person by selecting to email and typing in the following email address: InMemOfDagan@gmail.com
• Check the “Write us a comment” box and type in “Restrict for public policy platform” for your comment.

Alternatively, you may also mail a check to the following address:

Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance

2308 Mount Vernon Avenue, Suite 207

Alexandria, VA 22301-1328

Please include a note with the check containing the following information:

The donation enclosed in the amount of $[amount of your donation] is a contribution in memory of Dagan Piowaty.  Please restrict this donation to a public policy platform.

More Photos: https://1drv.ms/a/s!AlAnqSdREERKg89vnjKqarG5Z-atSg?e=qpdS8P