Friends, family, and former students shared their memories of Tom Cupples at an emotionally charged memorial service this afternoon. Cupples, a former music teacher and band director at Pearl River High School for 30 years, passed away from liver failure in October.

At the memorial service, held at the United Methodist Church in Pearl River, former students spoke of a dedicated teacher who treated his students as equals. Others said Cupples inspired them to become music teachers as well.

"He was just inspiring," said Genevieve Marino, an aspiring music teacher who just graduated from college. "I want to teach music because of him."