Donald Barbieri, a New Hyde Park village trustee for 18 years and a lifelong resident of the village, died Friday at 58 after a decades-long fight with multiple sclerosis.
It was a disease that tortured Barbieri, Mayor Lawrence Montreuil said, but never “deterred him from serving the people of New Hyde Park.”
“He had tremendous pride in our village and despite dealing with constant pain and discomfort, worked very hard to make it a better place for each and every person,” Montreuil said in a statement on Friday. “He was an inspiration to all of us.”
Barbieri was first elected to the board in 2000.
He was born and raised in New Hyde Park, attending the New Hyde Park schools and Holy Spirit Church, according to Montreuil.
Improvements that can now be seen along Jericho Turnpike, including the brick inlayed sidewalks, landscaped bulb-outs and center medians would not exist today if not for Barbieri’s “incredible persistence,” Montreuil said.
Which, Montreuil added, is just one of Barbieri’s “many endearing qualities.”
“So much more could and will be said about Donnie’s accomplishments and contributions to the people of New Hyde Park, but the emotions of the moment prevent a more thorough collection of thoughts,” Montreuil said.
Barbieri’s political involvement began before he was elected as trustee, with advocacy work for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Barbieri began using a wheelchair shortly before his first term. His first initiative as trustee was to push for installation of handicapped ramps along Jericho Turnpike in New Hyde Park.
But his dedication to the board and advocacy was not limited to issues of the handicapped.
He previously told Blank Slate Media he was proud of the “pocket parks” he helped establish at Holy Spirit Church and elsewhere.
He also said he was proud of the role he played in securing a $100,000 state grant to refurbish the William Gill Theatre in Village Hall.
“I do appreciate the fact that this community has given me this opportunity,” Barbieri said. “I am a disabled man. But my mind is still clicking and I enjoy the opportunity to work for the village.”
Barbieri was also a big proponent of shopping locally, Jeanette Frisina, president of the Greater New Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce, said.
Frisina said she knew Barbieri for many years from her work with the chamber and her advertising business, and said he was always a pleasure to be around.
“Don had an unbreakable spirit,” Frisina said. “Each time I talked with him I walked away feeling very inspired by his optimism. He will be missed tremendously.”
Information on survivors was not available.
While the community appreciated Barbieri’s work for the village, he previously told Blank Slate Media he saw it as a beneficial aspect in his battle to overcome his disability.
“Being involved in this village has been a healthy place for my mind to be,” Barbieri said. “It’s been a fun time, a good time.”
