"He was as fine a human being as you'll find. He was down to earth, a family man first, an outstanding athlete and a guy who never forgot a face and had an encyclopedic memory for sports."
"My dad was a stat man. He needed to see numbers with everything. He had a remarkable knowledge of team and individual statistics. He was a sports fan 24 hours a day, seven days a week."
"He would strike up a conversation and connect with people through the world of sports. He was a terrific athlete, an unassuming, stoic personality. But boy, I can say, he was loved by everyone."
John DeBiase, who passed away at age 81 following heart complications, was known for his exceptional athletic career and lifelong dedication to sports. He excelled as a basketball and baseball player at Brooklyn's Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School, notably scoring 38 points against Power Memorial and Lew Alcindor. He continued his athletic pursuits at St. John's University, playing both sports. Beyond his playing career, DeBiase maintained an encyclopedic knowledge of professional and amateur sports statistics, particularly regarding the Yankees. He played senior softball for 40 years, using sports as a bridge to connect with people and build lasting friendships. Friends remembered him as a down-to-earth family man with an unassuming personality who was universally loved.
Read at Newsday
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