Obituary of Andrew J. Labarbera

Andrew Jacob “A.J.” LaBarbera, 83, passed away peacefully on March 26, 2016 in Orange Park, FL. He was born January 21, 1933, in West Allis, WI, to the late Thomas and Rosa (San Filippo) LaBarbera. A.J. graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a bachelor’s degree in Art Education and received a Master of Art Education degree from Northern Iowa University. He served three years in the U. S. Army. He taught water color painting, drawing, jewelry and sign painting classes for 27 years at Marinette High School in Marinette, WI, where he was the head of the Art Department. While at Marinette High, he coached the girls’ basketball team and took them to several Bay Conference titles and a state tournament appearance. He also coached the girls’ golf team for two years and the boys’ golf team for 25 years, taking the team to numerous Bay Conference, regional, and sectional titles, and had several appearances by the team and individuals at the state tournament. A.J. introduced the game of golf to many young men and women and taught them to love the sport. Many of his players played in college and many of their children played high school and college golf as well, including his three granddaughters and grandson. His passion for the game made a tremendous impact on many people. A.J. also enjoyed his days as a referee for boys’ basketball. He was inducted into the Wisconsin Golf Coaches Hall of Fame in 1993. Andy retired from teaching and coaching in 1988 to pursue his dream of competing on the PGA Senior Golf Tour. He relocated during the winter months to Jacksonville, FL, and was a golf ranger at Timuquana and Orange Park country clubs. He became a member of Eagle Harbor Golf Club and became well known there as a teacher and coach. He was asked to coach the boys’ golf team at The Bolles School in Jacksonville and coached them for two years. His love of teaching and coaching was always prominent to all who knew him. A.J. won many golf tournaments over the years and shot his age or better 597 times. Some of his proudest moments were when he won tournaments paired with his two sons and each of his three granddaughters. Andy was a very talented artist and while working on his master’s, many of his jewelry pieces were showcased in a national jewelry book. He was an accomplished watercolor artist and sold paintings in art galleries, but he loved to give paintings and his one-of-kind caricatures to friends and family on special occasions. His knack for getting someone’s looks and personality in a caricature was amazing! His art work is displayed in many homes in Wisconsin, Florida and Texas. A.J. was preceded in death by his parents, Rosa and Thomas LaBarbera, seven brothers and two sisters, and his first wife, Nan (Jonas) LaBarbera. A.J. is survived by his wife of 21 years, Betty; sons, Drew LaBarbera (Leda) of McKinney, TX, Ross LaBarbera (Ellen) of Allen, TX; and grandchildren, Casey (Kyle) Messer, Jessa, Jordy and Lucas LaBarbera; three stepsons and five step-grandchildren. A celebration of his life will be held at Eagle Harbor Golf Club on Fleming Island on Tuesday, April 5 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to www.gofundme.com/ajlabarbera to benefit junior golf in Marinette, WI. Aaron and Burney Bivens Funeral Home, (904) 264-1233, is serving the family.