Thousands of mourners filed into Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif. Monday to remember college baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife and teen daughter, who were killed in the helicopter crash that also claimed the life of hoops legend Kobe Bryant.
Photos and videos documenting the lives of the Altobelli family lit up the towering screens at the Los Angeles Angels’ baseball stadium, as speakers took turns offering their own cherished memories of the tragic clan to the crowd.
“He was strategic in his teaching,” said Jeff Piaskowski Jr., one of Altobelli’s former players, according to Fox 11 – Los Angeles.
“He gave you what you could handle and that was more than what you thought you could,” continued Piaskowski. “He was a winner. He hated to lose more than he liked to win.”
Fortunately for Altobelli, the 56-year-old Orange Coast College coach had more than his share of wins.
Across 27 seasons at the helm of the team, he won more than 700 games and four state titles, and was the American Baseball Coaches Association’s reigning coach of the year.
Altobelli also managed the Brewster Whitecaps for three seasons in the Cape Cod Summer League, coaching future Yankees star Aaron Judge and Mets infielder Jeff McNeil.
But it was his impact off the field for which he was most remembered.
“We have no clue how many teachers, police officers, firefighters, dads and husbands that he helped develop along the way,” longtime friend Josh Belovsky told the crowd. “Those are the wins that he cherished the most.”
His wife, Keri Altobelli, 46, was remembered for her fierce dedication to her family, including 14-year-old daughter Alyssa, a budding young basketball player.
“It was evident she [Keri] would do absolutely anything for those that she loved,” said Allison Eadie, the mom of one of Alyssa’s teammates. “When she had your back you didn’t need anyone else.”
Alyssa herself was mourned by Eadie’s daughter, Emily, as an irreplaceable part of their squad.
“If anyone was in a bad mood at practice, she would smile and laugh to help brighten the day,” said Emily Eadie. “Without her, our team will never be the same.”
The Altobellis were traveling with a group including Bryant and his own 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, to a youth basketball game last month when their helicopter crashed in the foggy hills of Calabasas, California.
All nine aboard were killed.
A complete federal probe into the crash is expected to take at least months, but investigators have said that there was no evidence of engine failure.
With Post wires
