Obituary of Philip Patrick La Barbera

Philip Patrick La Barbera, Sr., 96, of Aptos, CA, passed away on October 2, 2017 at his home in Aptos, CA. A funeral service and mass will be held at Resurrection Church on Tuesday, October 10th, at 11:00 AM with Reverend Father Romeo Evangelista of Resurrection Church officiating (7600 Soquel Dr, Aptos, CA 95003). A celebration of Phil's life will follow immediately at the Bargetto Winery, 3535 N Main St, Soquel, CA 95073. Burial will take place at 11 AM the next morning, Wednesday, October 11th, at Los Gatos Memorial Park, 2255 Los Gatos-Almaden Rd, San Jose, CA 95124. Benito & Azzaro will be handling funeral arrangements. Phil was born in San Jose to Sebastian La Barbera & Mary Sunzeri La Barbera on March 17, 1921. He graduated from Los Gatos High School in 1940. Phil went on to earn a B.S. in Chemistry from San Jose State University. He worked as the Assistant Chief Chemist for Spreckels Sugar following his service as a lieutenant in the US Navy before partnering with two of his brothers to open retail liquor stores which were among the first to champion the popularity of California wines. Phil enjoyed gardening and was active in the Resurrection Church community. During his retirement, he worked for the Bargetto Winery. Phil is survived by his wife Barbara La Barbera of Aptos, married 64 years, and his children, Philip La Barbera, Jr., Paul & Sheryl La Barbera, Diane & Bruce Edwards, and Helen La Barbera; and his grandsons, John & Jackie, Matthew & Whitney, Daniel & Kelsey, and Michael & Kandra. He has 10 great grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces. He is preceded in death by his siblings, Pearl Sunseri, Mary Danna, Tony La Barbera, Sal La Barbera, Severio 'Sam' La Barbera, Joseph La Barbera, and Margaret Tuso. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Santa Cruz County, 940 Disc Drive, Scotts Valley, CA 95066 (www.hospicesantacruz.org/donations).