Salvatore P La Barbera

Salvatore P. La Barbera
September 29, 1947 - June 2, 2018
San Jose
Salvatore P. La Barbera passed away on June 1, 2018 in the Philippines. He was 70 years old.
Sal is survived by sons Mike and Chris LaBarbera, daughter-in-law Jennifer LaBarbera, grandchildren P.J. and Teagan LaBarbera, and sister Marie Hedges, as well as countless friends and extended family members.
A life long resident of San Jose, California, Sal was the son of orchardists Peter and Santina La Barbera. He grew up on their Meridian Road orchard with his sister Marie lovingly surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Sal's career was broad and far reaching. He was the first member of his family to attend college, graduating from San Jose State University with a Mathematics degree. Early in his career, Sal was simultaneously both a teacher/coach at Westmont High School as well as a corn and sunflower farmer in San Martin. However, the lure of business was always strong to Sal, and he soon left the teaching profession to pursue a career in commercial real estate. He was an immediate success, and after a few years in the industry, Sal branched out on his own to found Terracommercial Real Estate with partner and childhood friend, Bob Longinetti. Terracommercial proved to be a pioneer in Bay Area, retail real estate, enjoying success up to the present time. Sal was constantly on the look out for the next big deal, and he started countless other companies in industries including farm equipment dealerships, car auctions, internet technology, waste disposal, cosmetics, food service, and health technology. Up until his passing, Sal was actively involved in multiple businesses. His work ethic was second to none, and entrepreneurship was his lifelong passion.
Sal was an avid pilot. He specialized in flying helicopters but was not afraid to fly vehicles ranging all the way to jet fighter training planes. Sal also loved football, especially games where his grandson P.J. was playing or his granddaughter Teagan was cheerleading. As such he was a huge Valley Christian Warriors fan. Should you be so inclined, we welcome you to make a donation to Valley Christian Schools in memorial of Sal at give.vcs.net
Sal's family would like to cordially invite friends, family, friends of family and all those whose lives he touched to the "Memorial of Sal's Life" to be held at his "Almaden Mountain Winery" property located at 6591 Woodcliff Court, San Jose, CA 95120 at Noon, Friday, June 15th. Lunch will be served, and there will be time to share wonderful stories about Sal's larger than life legacy.


View the online memorial for Salvatore P. La Barbera