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Born in New York City on Oct. 18, 1929, to the late John and Margaret Ochelli Labati, Labati, attended Greenwich High School, where he was a track star. Following graduation, he served two tours of duty in the U. S. Army, said Stamford Fire Department Capt. Philip Hayes.
In the mid-1950’s, he went to work at Conde Nast in Greenwich. It was there, at a company picnic, that he met his wife Carole, whom he married in 1957. Shortly after getting married, Labati joined the Stamford Fire Department where he worked until his retirement in 1993, Hayes said.
A master craftsman, Labati enjoyed spending time in his workshop building furniture and repairing cars, in addition to traveling to Rhode Island with family and close friends.
He is survived by his four children, Donna Thigpen and husband Bernard of Stamford; John Jr. of Jersey City; James and wife Janet and daughter Maria – John and Carole’s beloved granddaughter – of Sandy Hook; Richard and wife Betty of Stamford and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by wife Carole Labati, his sisters, Florence Balocca, Jean Labati, Marian Marino, as well as his brother, Richard Labati. The family would like to extend special thanks to Nelly de la Cruz (Minnie) for her care and compassion.
Services were held earlier on Tuesday.
Donations in Labati's memory can be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation at 230 East Ohio St., Suite 500, Chicago, IL 60611, www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org.
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