York B. Larese

York B. Larese of Medford, MA, passed away on February 6, 2016 at age 77.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Trockman, sons Keith and York Larese, and daughters Kimberly and Karen; stepsons Blaine, Jeffrey and Scott (late) Trockman, grandchildren: Rajeshwari, Samudra, Gabrielle, Anabel, Luca, Anthony and step-grandchildren Emmitt and Gabrielle.

Raised in New York City's Greenwich Village, York was a first generation Italian-American.  His parents, Valentina (Frigo) and Osvaldo Larese, came from Auronzo di Cadore, a small village in the Italian Alps.  As a child, the West 4th Street Courts were his playground, and his natural, undeniable talent for basketball propelled him from the marble, checkered floors of church basement gymnasiums to basketball's famous Tobacco Road.
 
As a 6'4" standout guard at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he was a three-time All-ACC selection from 1959-61 and a second-team All-America as a senior.  Nicknamed "the Cobra," for his singular style of shooting free throws, he shot the ball, with no pause, as soon as the official handed it to him. He was timed taking anywhere from 0.8 to 1.1 seconds to let it fly.

One of the best pure shooters in the school's history, he made all 21 of his free throw attempts in a victory over Duke on December 29, 1959, setting a single-game record that still stands today.  He shot 86.8 percent from the free throw line in 1959-60 which was the single-season UNC record for 25 years.

Though eligible to be drafted after his junior season, he remained at UNC to finish his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.  At that time, he also married his childhood friend, Vivian Chirico.  Vivian had a Master's Degree in Education and taught third grade at a Durham school, as York finished out his senior year.

York was drafted by the NBA in the second round (20th overall) and played with the Chicago Packers and the Philadelphia Warriors in the 1961-62 season.  On March 2, 1962, in Hershey, PA, he played a role in the historic Wilt Chamberlain 100-point game, passing to Wilt for the assist on his 98 point.

From there, he played several years in the Eastern League.  Also during this time, keenly aware of his own humble beginnings, York would often head up to Dobbs Ferry, NY, just outside New York City and hold free basketball clinics at The Children's Village, an organization that supports children and families in the metropolitan New York City area.  He delighted in teaching the art of shooting a basketball ("Watch your follow through!") and seeing basketball played for passion of the sport and nothing else.
  
His playing and teaching led him next to coaching, and in the 1969-1970 season of American Basketball Association, he served as a head coach of the New York Nets.  It was a milestone season for the franchise, as York led the team to their very first full playoff series.  Attendance to the games soared and broke records and despite the defeat, the Nets, as a team, had "turned a corner" that season with a new enthusiasm, excitement and respect.

He coached the Nets for one season and by then was the father of Keith, Kim, Karen and York.  He desired a steadier career and more time with his family on Long Island, and for the next 20 years, worked in sports promotions.  He began with Converse, in New York, overseeing Sales and Promotions.

Years later, York moved to Boston to work with Puma as the Manager of National Promotions.

During that time, he met his future wife, Barbara Trockman. They moved to Winchester, MA, where Barbara began her medical practice and York worked as a scout for the Indiana Pacers.

Throughout all these years, York always set aside two weeks in the summer to go back to Chapel Hill and teach at the UNC Basketball Camp, sharing his knowledge and love of free throw shooting. He did that for over 45 years and the precision of his foul shot never diminished.

His #22 honored jersey hangs in the rafters of the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill.

Whether he was giving a clinic at the Michael Jordan Fantasy Camp in Las Vegas, or playing a pick-up game with the neighborhood kids, he did so with patience, enthusiasm and joy.

His extraordinary passion for basketball was only rivaled by his devoted love for his family. Indeed, he will be especially missed at holidays and celebrations where his unfaltering pride and delight, his reassuring presence and kind spirit were always shared so generously and effortlessly.

York left an indelible mark on the hearts of all who have had the privilege of crossing his path, both on and off the court.


A Funeral Service Celebrating York's Eternal Life will be held at the Barile Family Funeral Home, 482 Main St. (RT 28) STONEHAM Saturday, February 13th, 2016 at 5:00pm. Family and friends are cordially invited to gather and share memories with the Family prior to the service from 2-5pm in the Funeral Home. Parking attendants and elevator are available.