Frank Salvatore LaBarbera of East Hampton died at Stony Brook University Hospital on July 5. He was 48.
Born in Brooklyn on April 29, 1966, he was the son of Robert S. LaBarbera, who predeceased him, and Maria E. DelVecchio, who survives. He attended high school at Half Hollow Hills in Dix Hills.
A warranty claims specialist for Mercedes-Benz, he was a car enthusiast and enjoyed racing cars in his spare time. Survivors said he will be remembered for his sense of humor and positive spirit, especially in the face of his battle with leukemia. His many health battles since childhood earned him the nickname “Wonder Boy” from staff at the hospital.
“He just loved family. He was that old soul who always wanted to have family,” his mother said. “He was just that guy who everybody loved.”
He is survived by a daughter, Kaitlyn LaBarbera of East Hampton; two sisters, Amy Davis and Grace Ann LaBarbera, both of East Hampton; nephews, Thomas Davis, Michael Davis and Joseph Viola; and a grandson, Dominic Salvatore LaBarbera.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 12, at noon at Most Holy Trinity Church in East Hampton. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Yardley and Pino Funeral Home in East Hampton.
Donations may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation, www.llf.org.
on Jul 8, 2014