Community Members

Steve Barbato - Off the Court

Published on 06/19/09 - 0 Comments

Many people in the Rochester area knew Steve Barbato who passed away after a brief battle with cancer on April 9. He was born with one leg and part of one arm. He founded the Rochester Wheels basketball team 30 years ago, played for and in recent years coached that team. A lot has been written about that side of Steve lately and justifiably so.

I’ve had the honor of being “Best Buds” with Steve for the past 10 years and knowing the side of him off the court.

A few short stories about Steve illustrate the kind of person he was.

A few years ago Steve was collecting the cover charge when my band was playing at a local club. Some people in the club started making fun of Steve as he wheeled around. One of our friends, Jarrod, asked Steve why he put up with it and didn’t it bother him. Steve said, “Nah, it doesn’t bother me. They have the problem, not me.”

This past Spring Steve was collecting tickets at the character breakfast for Rush Henrietta’s production of Beauty and the Beast. A little girl came up to Steve and asked what had happened to him. Steve smiled and responded, “Honey, this is just the way God me.”

Last year when Steve went to renew his handicapped parking permit, he asked if there was a way that he could get a permanent permit. The clerk told him that he had to apply every year for the permit. Steve looked up at the clerk and said, “Lady, look at me. I’m not going to get any better.”

Four years ago, Steve and I were chaperone/roommates on a trip to Washington DC with the Rush Henrietta Singers. The first night we were there, I took sick with a stomach bug and excused myself from the evening’s activities. Steve came to the room after about an hour and hung out for a while to make sure I was OK. Then he went to do his (and my) chaperoning duties. A couple of hours later, I came out of the bathroom to find Steve sitting on his bed eating out of a pizza box. He looked at me with a big smile and said, “Hey, Bill. You want a slice.” I didn’t think it was very funny at the time, but it’s become one of our favorite stories to tell.

Steve’s main concern has always been his children, Kellie and Stephanie. Over the past 10 years, in support of his kids Steve has become very involved with music and theatrical activities at Burger Middle school and Rush Henrietta High School.
Steve worked to organize cast parties, sold tickets and pitched in wherever he was needed for yearly musical productions at Burger.

During the three years his daughter Kellie was a part of RH Singers and this year as his daughter Stephanie has been a member of RH Singers, Steve has been a strong supporter of the entire RH Singers organization.
He has been the chair or co-chair for many RH Singers fundraising parking events at the Dome arena including 4 years of parking for the Monroe County Fair. Steve sat on the board of directors of the Friends of RH Singers fund raising organization from 2002 �" 2005 and 2008 serving as Treasurer from 2003 �" 2005.

Through his volunteer work in the Rush Henrietta schools, Steve came in contact with a lot of kids. He always was a positive influence. He always treated the kids with respect, had a smile for everyone and an infectious laugh. He was known as Mr. Barbato, Mr. B, Papa Bear, or just Steve. Kids who graduated from RH 4 to 6 years ago would see Steve at a school function or at a Red Wings game or eating breakfast at any hour of the day at Perkins or Jay’s diner and make it a point to come over and say hello.

Back in 2005, Steve was being recognized as a parent volunteer by the Spotlight Theatre group at RH. Several parents were recognized for helping build sets, making costumes, etc. My daughter Katie was the Spotlight council member who gave Steve his recognition. She said, “This recognition is for Steve Barbato. I’m not really sure exactly what he did. He’s just always around and that makes me happy.” I think that’s how most people felt about Steve. He made us happy.