A letter to the community from Al Barbarino

When I received a phone call on August 27 from Dr. Melissa Burak, informing me that my brother, Santo, was taken to South Nassau Communities Hospital, I immediately called my son, Chris, who met me there. Upon arrival, we were escorted to a private waiting room. We felt uneasy about that. Also with me was the Lynbrook Police Chief Joseph Neve. Chris and I were frightened, and we prayed. Finally, when the doctor entered the room, informing us that Santo had died, needless to say, we “lost it.”

It is so difficult, even as I write this, to articulate my feelings and emotions. How could this happen? How can a person so full of life, love and energy, just die?

Beyond that, our next immediate concern was my mom, who is 95 years old, and how to inform her and my sister, Grace, who lives in Florida. Chris called on our longtime, dear friend, Fr. John O’Farrell, pastor of Our Lady of Victory in Floral Park, asking him to meet us at the hospital and to accompany us home to help tell my mom, which he did. After contacting all family members and friends, even using the Internet and Facebook — before too long everyone knew that Santo, “Dr. B” had died.

I can’t believe it, at this very moment, that I wrote the previous sentence. As we tried our best to process our thoughts, we found ourselves making funeral arrangements at Perry’s in Lynbrook.

The outpouring of endless concern, compassion and love shown from not only family members, but also the enormous number of people who visited Perry’s and attended the Requiem Mass at St. Raymond’s was truly overwhelming. Anyone and everyone who knew Santo was there, expressing their love and sharing their personal “Dr. B.” stories. From we knew from the 1960s to the 70s, from Most Holy Trinity and Holy Cross high schools, they were all in attendance.

On behalf of my entire family, I wish to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Lynbrook school administration and its staffsand especially the students for their magnificent lineup outside the church. Thank you to the Lynbrook Police Department for all their support, and especially for their personal escort to the cemetery; to all the priests and deacons on the altar, along with the beautiful music ministry; to Father John O’Farrell, who celebrated the Mass and offered his excellent homily focusing on Santo’s life (which was God, church, family and education); and to the many people who paid their respects and their condolences.

As a final and lasting tribute to my brother, if we could all take a little of his humility and love and pass that onto others, I know he will continue looking on you with a smile on his face! May God bless you all.

We will miss you, Santo, very, very much. We all love you.

Your brother, Al