Remembering John LaBarbera

More than 130 people came together last week to remember a young man whose life ended too soon. The fourth annual John LaBarbera golf outing was held at the Douglaston Golf Course on Sept. 28.

John was 16 years old and a junior at Central High School when he died on Oct. 17, 2005. He was at an after-school basketball clinic when he suffered a sudden cardiac arrhythmia and collapsed. Though he had undergone two open heart surgeries, his mother, Susan, said he had been given a clean bill of health a month before his death.

The memorial golf outing raises money for a scholarship in John’s honor. It is awarded each year to a Central High School senior who demonstrates integrity, character, altruism and nobility. “That’s what our son was about,” Susan LaBarbera said. “He was a real good-hearted kid.”

Her husband, John, presents the scholarship each year. She said it is one of the larger scholarships given out at the school, typically between $3,500 and $4,000.

Susan LaBarbera said that the golf outing is always held on a Monday in the fall when school is not in session because many Central High School teachers want to be able to participate. She said the idea for the tournament was thought up by Central High School basketball coach Hayward Alfred. “He really admired Johnny and wanted to do something,” she said.

This year, there were 37 foursomes who hit the golf course to remember John. Susan LaBarbera said the demand was so great that all the spots filled up quickly. “It was a full house,” she said. “We were turning people away.”

Many of those who weren’t able to participate did come down to the American Legion Hall that afternoon for a lunch catered by P.J. Harper’s. There was an auction featuring items such as two signed New York Rangers jerseys and lunch with Chris Mullens, a former stand-out basketball player at St. John’s University.

Msgr. Tom Harold, pastor of Holy Name of Mary Church, couldn’t make the golf outing but came to the lunch to show his support for the family and to honor the late parishioner. “He was a very high-spirited teenager who always had a great smile,” Harold said of John. “He always lightened up the atmosphere.”

Harold recalled that after mass each Sunday, John would slide down the railing outside the church and enthusiastically shake the pastor’s hand when he reached the bottom. He also noted that John, about two weeks before his death, served as his sister Cassie’s sponsor for her confirmation.

John, the older of four children, also has a sister Heather and brother Michael.

Central High School Principal Dr. Joseph Pompilio said that he will never forget what a giving person John was. Shortly before his death, John found $90 outside of the school. Instead of keeping it for himself, he turned it in to Pompilio.

The owner of that money was never found. At the memorial service for John, Pompilio announced that to honor the late student, he would use the money to help out other students in need. Mostly, he said, it would go to students who have forgotten their lunch money. Every year, Pompilio takes money that has been found and turned in to the office and puts it into the envelope.

Pompilio said that John’s good deed was not surprising considering that he comes from a family with solid values. “We’re a very diverse community and John always fostered good will,” Pompilio said. “He orchestrated a lot of peace deals between kids when he was at Central.”

John’s basketball jersey still hangs in the Central High School gymnasium.

Susan LaBarbera said between Pompilio’s envelope at Central, and the annual scholarship, John would be happy if he knew how he was still helping out others. “He was a very giving kid,” she said.