"He had a massive stroke. He died with his tie on. Do you think that could be our generation's equivalent of that old saying about dying with your boots on?"

This quote by Stephen King is a reflection on the changing times and also the altering values of our generation. The phrase "passing away with your boots on" is an old stating that is used to explain a person that passes away while still in the midst of their work or while still proactively engaged in life. By changing the phrase with "passing away with your tie on", Stephen King is suggesting that our generation values different points than the generations before us. We value success, ambition, as well as hard work, therefore the concept of passing away with your tie on is a symbol of a life well-lived. It is a reminder that even in fatality, we must make every effort to be productive as well as successful.