LUCAS GARBARINO, DEATH ,17-YEAR-OLD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT FROM HOLLAND, MICHIGAN, TRAGICALLY PASSES AWAY IN ROCK CLIMBING ACCIDENT IN UTAH – Community Mourns Loss of Beloved Athlete, Leader, and Friend
The West Ottawa High School community in Holland, Michigan, is mourning the heartbreaking loss of 17-year-old Lucas Garbarino, a talented athlete and beloved friend who tragically passed away while visiting family in Utah. Lucas fell during a rock climbing outing and did not survive the accident.
Lucas Garbarino was well-known at West Ottawa High School for his athletic prowess and team spirit. As a dedicated member of the wrestling and football teams, he was admired not only for his skills on the mat and field but also for his leadership and camaraderie. Coaches and teammates describe him as a hard worker who pushed himself and others to excel.
Beyond his athletic achievements, Lucas was recognized for his kindness and the way he brought people together. He had an infectious smile and a positive attitude that lifted the spirits of those around him. “Lucas wasn’t just an athlete; he was a leader and a friend to everyone he met. His energy was contagious, and he had a way of making everyone feel valued,” said one of his teammates.
Lucas had a deep connection to Utah, where he often visited his father’s family. Following his tragic passing, his parents, Marissa and Gabe, have decided to lay him to rest in a place that held a special meaning for him. The family has organized a memorial service, visitation, and burial in Ogden, Utah, scheduled for Monday, November 18th, at Leavitt’s Mortuary & Memorial Park.
To help cover the costs of the Utah memorial and support the family during this difficult time, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched. As of now, the fundraiser has raised over $11,000 of its $15,000 goal. The funds will be used to cover expenses for the funeral and burial, as well as to provide financial relief to Lucas’s parents and siblings, Caleb, Josiah, and Charlotte.
While Lucas will be laid to rest in Utah, his family plans to hold a separate celebration of life in Michigan later in the month. This event will provide his friends, teammates, and the West Ottawa High School community an opportunity to honor his memory and share their love for him. The dual memorials reflect Lucas’s impact on communities in both Utah and Michigan, a testament to how widely he was loved and cherished.
Since the news of Lucas’s passing, heartfelt tributes have poured in from friends, family, and classmates, all celebrating the vibrant young man who left a lasting impression on everyone he met. Brande Dishinger, a close family friend, wrote, “This hurts my heart so much… Lucas you are so loved. Lucas was the little brother I didn’t know I needed. Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Garbarino, for having such an amazing son. My family is so lucky we got so much time with him. I’m so sorry for your loss, and I am praying for your family.”
Many others echoed similar sentiments, highlighting Lucas’s compassion, generosity, and unwavering support for his friends and teammates. A teacher at West Ottawa shared, “Lucas had a way of brightening a room. His kindness and dedication inspired so many of his peers, and he was always willing to lend a hand to those who needed it. The loss of such a promising young man is devastating.”
The GoFundMe campaign has provided an avenue for the community to show their support for the Garbarino family. Contributions, messages of condolence, and shared memories have poured in, underscoring the depth of love and respect for Lucas and his family. The campaign’s description reads: “Marissa and Gabe have decided to lay Lucas to rest in Utah. Utah was a special place that Lucas loved, and it is the current home of Lucas’s paternal uncle, aunt, and cousins. If you wish to make a donation to support Marissa, Gabe, Caleb, Josiah, and Charlotte, please feel free to use this GoFundMe as one option.”
The family has expressed profound gratitude for the outpouring of support, finding comfort in the love and kindness extended to them during this heartbreaking time. Although his life was tragically cut short, Lucas’s legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew him. His passion for sports, his unwavering kindness, and his ability to bring people together have left an indelible mark on his community.
As his family and friends prepare to honor his memory through the upcoming services in Utah and Michigan, they hold onto the joy and love Lucas brought into their lives. In the words of one of his coaches: “Lucas’s spirit will forever be a part of this
