Joe T. LaBarbera

LaBARBERA, Joe T., of Jacksonville, Fla., formerly of Tampa, passed away the morning of December 25, 2003 at home, surrounded by his loving family, after a courageous battle with cancer. Mr. La Barbera was born in Tampa. on August 30, 1920, the son of the late Mary Sedita La Barbera Grimaldi and Peter A. La Barbera. He attended Andrew Jackson High School in Jacksonville, graduated from Hillsborough. High School in Tampa and attended the University of Tampa. Mr. LaBarbera was a Veteran of World War II. He served in the US Axmy Air Corps and was stationed in Guam. Mr. La Barbera established All-Brite Sales, a janitorial supply and equipment distribution company, in May of 1954, and was the current owner and CEO at the time of his death. He was a member of the International Sanitary Supply Association and a previous Board Member of the Florida Sanitary Supply Association. Mr. Laparbera was a member of Neptune Baptist Church. Mr. LaBarbera was a member of L'Unione Italiana, The Italian Club of T ampa. Mr. LaBarbera was an avid golfer and enjoyed all sports. He was a charter member of Selva Marina Golf and Country Club and their 1966 Club Champion. He was the first Club Champion of Hidden Hills Golf and Country Club in 1968. He was a member of Queens Harbour Yacht and County Club. He strongly supported the Gator Bowl Association, The Jaguars, The Florida Gators, and The TPC. He is survived by Chris, his loving, devoted wife of 56 years; and three sons, Martin Joseph and wife Lela, Gerald Stephen and wife Tonya, Randol Jay and wife Karen; grandchildren, Adam, Jason, Reece, Lindsay, Kristen, Kurt, Kip, Jacqui and Tamara; his sister, Frances Lawlor and husband John; mother-in-law, Nona P. Martin; many loving nieces, nephews and cousins; and a host of other relatives and close friends. He was preceded in death by his sister, Katherine Ward. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 30, 2003 at Neptune Baptist Church, with Rev. Tom Bary officiating. The family will receiv e family and friends prior to the funeral service at the church beginning at 12:30 p.m., Tuesday. Interment at Oaklawn Cemetery immediately following the funeral service. Pallbearers: Kip LaBarbera, Kurt LaBarbera, Adam LaBarbera, Jason LaBarbera, Don G, LaBarbera, Barry Adeeb, Reggie Sedita, Jim Cochran. Honorary Pallbearers: Cedric Dennett, Peter Rodriguez, Ray Felice, St. Rep. Stan Jordan, Bill Weedon, Tony Gonzalez, Saverio Salario, Jimmy Almond, Maxie Ward and Frank A. LaBarbera. Memorial contributions may be made to Mr. LaBarbera's preferred charities which include, the Foundation for Icthyosis and Related Skin Types, 650 N. Cannon Ave., # 17, Lansdale, PA 19446, The Mayo Cancer Research Center, or The Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32257. Arrangements by HARDAGE-GIDDENS FUNERAL HOME, 1701 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach, Fla.