Luca Barbato

Funeral services for Luca Barbato will be held on Friday, April 2nd 2010 at 11:00 AM in the Delhomme Chapel of the Flowers for Luca Barbato, age 86, who passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 31 at 6:52 AM at Lafayette General following a brief illness. A native of Baton Rouge, Luca was born in 1923 as the 8th child of Joseph Barbato and the former Lena Ciaccio, both immigrants from Sicily. Born into tough times, he made a living on what would later become his lifelong passion: golf. Caddying for 25 cents for nine holes in the '30s, he was learning the basics of his future profession. After graduating high school, he served as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army during WWII. He crossed the Pacific Ocean by carrier to New Guinea and served his country in Japan. His crew was the first to reach Okinawa after it was secured at Yokahama. Returning to LSU after the war, he met the love of his life, Dorothy Griffin. They married in 1947. It was at LSU that his passion for golf began to flourish. He was a member of the LSU golf team winning the NCAA Team Championship in 1948. With Dottie by his side, he started his professional career at River Oaks Country Club in Houston, TX. He then began his local career as Head Golf Professional at Oakbourne Country Club from 1961 to 1970. He moved on to be PGA Professional and Co-lease operator of Acadian Hills Country Club from 1970-1975 and sole lease operator from 1975-1990. With each position, his passion for playing, teaching, and sharing his knowledge of the game touched many lives. For more than 60 years, he devoted his life to sharing the love of the game with others. He led, raised, and educated a family of golfers in Lafayette and throughout Louisiana. He dedicated his life and energies to raising that family to be the best they could be. He would never have admitted how many golfers he helped to learn the game. He taught amateurs from beginners to state champions. He also took an active role in educating many of the Golf Professionals in Louisiana and nearby states. He was a model to his fellow professionals, and he was one of the most respected people in his field. Like every good father, he always led by example. Some of the highlights of his career include: Election to PGA membership (1965); Professional Golfer of the Year (1973); Horton Smith Award for education (1982); Senior Champion (1978 and 1988); PGA Gulf States Section President (1972-73) succeeding his brother Joe Barbato; and inaugural inductee into the Gulf States Section PGA Hall of Fame (1998). Additionally, the Barbato-Thomas Award, named in honor of Luca Barbato and Henry Thomas, is presented annually to a Louisiana resident for their contribution to the game of golf and/or support of the PGA professional. He is survived by his wife, Dottie Barbato; one daughter, Barbara Barbato of Kingwood, TX, and three sons Daniel Barbato (Fran) of Lafayette, Don Barbato (Betty) of Kingwood, TX, and Daryl Barbato (Kim) of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. His grandchildren are: Cullen Barbato (Sarah), Lindley Barbato Palmer (Greg), Sarah Brooks Barbato, Rebekah Roehm Prince (Jeremy), Andrew Roehm, Jennifer Roehm, Lyle Barbato (Anna), Becky Barbato Mitchell (Bryan), Neal Barbato, Jonathan Barbato, Micah Barbato Collins (Mike), Tom Barbato, Aaron Barbato, Allison Barbato and his great-grandchildren are: Jack Barbato, Emily Barbato, Lee Palmer, Anne Calvert Palmer, Daniel Palmer, Andrew Paul Roehm, Greta Roehm, Addisyn Trahan, and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and seven siblings: Louis Barbato, Mike Barbato, Joe Barbato, Katie Lebeau, Tina Polazoa, Josephine Martini and Mary Bowers. The family requests that visitation be observed at Delhomme Funeral Home on Thursday from 4pm ' 9pm and Friday from 9am until the service at 11am. Pastor Sam Brooks, Pastor of the Open Door Church, will officiate the service and Vocalist Luther Burney will sing. Interment will take place in Fountain Memorial Gardens. The family wishes to express its gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff on the 6th floor at Lafayette General and especially to Dr. Ed Lyons and Dr. David Baker. Their compassion and joyful service was appreciated by his family. The family also wants to thank Chris Burney for his love and support during his illness. Pallbearers are Luca's grandsons: Cullen Barbato, Lyle Barbato, Andrew Roehm, Tom Barbato, Neal Barbato, Jonathan Barbato, and Aaron Barbato. Honorary pallbearers: Dr. Sam Foreman, George Casino, Chad Williams, Charlie Dugas, Cliff Wagner, Pat Aertker and Chris Burney. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the following: PGA Jr. Golf, 100 Avenue of the Champions, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 First Baptist Church Vision 71, 1100 Lee Avenue, Lafayette, LA 70501 The Open Door, 1709 Dulles Drive, Lafayette, LA 70506 Personal condolences may be sent to the Barbato family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Luca Barbato

December 16, 1923 - March 31, 2010