John Altobelli
FOR FAMILY.
FOR COMMUNITY.
FOR THE WORLD.
Words by Meredith Wash
John Altobelli was a beloved coach to hundreds, a friend to many and family to few. But on Monday, February 10, John, or “Coach Alto,” represented an entire community as over 4,000 people filled Angel Stadium to commemorate his life as well as the lives of his beloved wife, Keri, and daughter, Alyssa.
The nation was shocked when it awoke to the news of the tragic helicopter accident on the morning of January 26. And while the world began mourning the loss of iconic athlete, Kobe Bryant, Orange County said goodbye to their own legend — Coach Alto.
So who was John Altobelli that so many would gather to celebrate him?
To the Orange County community, John represented a life well-lived. Coach Alto was gearing up to begin his 28th season as the head coach of the Orange Coast College baseball team. He led the Pirates to more than 700 victories, four state titles and was named a national coach of the year by the American Baseball Coaches Association. John’s legacy as a husband father, coach, and prominent leader embodied the kind of life many in the community strive for.
To his team at OCC, Coach Alto was more than just a coach — he was a mentor, a friend, and, at times, a father figure to the young men he coached. Friend of Altobelli and Executive Director of the Orange Coast College Foundation, Doug Bennet, describes Coach Alto’s love for his players: “John will be remembered for his passion for helping his players be the best that they could be on the field,” Bennet explains. “But more importantly how he cared for his players in terms of their personal well-being, his eagerness to help them transfer to four-year colleges and universities, and his willingness to help them succeed in life in general.”
Coach Alto treated his team as though they were his own and beyond helping them win baseball games, his heartbeat was to see them win in life. John Altobelli leaves behind an irreplaceable presence for the Orange Coast Pirates, but more importantly, he leaves behind an impeccable legacy that his players can look to for the rest of their lives.
While many in the community and on the baseball team called John “friend,” few had a bond as close as Coach Alto’s younger brother, Tony Altobelli. To Tony, the youngest of the seven Altobelli siblings, John was the embodiment of everything he aimed to be in life — athletic, driven and a loyal friend.
“John was definitely my role model growing up, everything he liked I liked, everything he wanted to do, I wanted to do. He helped me grow up.” Tony continues, “John wanted to be a great baseball player, so I wanted to be a great baseball player. I was good, but John was great.”
From moving to sunny Southern California from Chicago, Illinois during their childhood, to going on to work for Orange Coast College together years later, John and Tony lived much of their lives side by side both as brothers and as friends.
Tony isn’t the only family John leaves behind. John survived his father, Jim, his son, JJ and his daughter Alexis. Life moving forward without John, Keri and Alyssa will undoubtedly be difficult for the Altobelli family, but the outpouring of love and the public celebration of the legacy this family leaves behind brings about a sense of peace and pride.
“Everyone’s saying that John’s legacy is the baseball field,” says Tony. “But I have to disagree. His greatest accomplishment and legacy is his family. It’s JJ, Lexi, Alyssa and Keri and all the players he’s impacted — that is John’s legacy.”
John Altobelli was many things to many people, but those closest to him know that above all else, John was a man of strength and dignity and had a deep care for others.
Both those who were close to John and those who only know John by the words written about him after his passing can glean from the legacy of excellence and selflessness he’s left in his wake. This is what makes Altobelli a legend.
