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Hundreds Gather To Honor, Mourn Pleasantville HS Basketball Star

PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. -- Quentin Lupo, an 18-year-old Pleasantville High School senior, was remembered at his funeral as a kid who loved basketball and was friendly to everyone.

More than 600 people attended Quentin Lupo's funeral in Pleasantville.

More than 600 people attended Quentin Lupo's funeral in Pleasantville.

Photo Credit: Sam Barron
Police direct traffic at Quentin Lupo's funeral

Police direct traffic at Quentin Lupo's funeral

Photo Credit: Sam Barron
Quentin Lupo

Quentin Lupo

Photo Credit: File

About 600 people, including family, friends, and teachers gathered at Holy Innocents Church Thursday to pay their final respects to Lupo.

Lupo, who starred on the Pleasantville Panthers basketball team, was found dead at his father's home in Greenburgh last week of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. 

Lupo's teammates and his basketball coach Chris Welsh served as pallbearers. His neighbors, Daniel Sullivan and Jon Lieb, remembered him as always playing sports and for his close relationship with his brother, Justin.

"He was kind and caring," Sullivan said. "He and his brother were overly polite and very helpful."

Sullivan said there were many Saturday mornings where he was hoping to sleep in, only to be awoken by Lupo, a 6-foot-4 forward, bouncing his basketball outside his bedroom window at 7 a.m.

"We know how much this kid practiced," Sullivan said. "He is part of Pleasantville basketball history. The stories about Quentin and his teammates will be remembered for generations to come."

Lieb remembered countless hours playing football with the Lupos, and recounted how Lupo overcame a broken hand in his junior year to lead Pleasantville to a sectional title in his senior year. Lupo earned all-section honors and was named as an 11th-team all-state selection in Class B.

"He worked endlessly to hone his outside shot," Lieb said. "We nicknamed him Porzingis."

Lieb said Lupo was like an older brother to his two sons, always playing basketball with them. 

"Remarkably, Quentin only won half of the games," Lieb said. "And they were always decided by two points or less. He loved all kids and they loved him."

Quentin's uncle, also named Quentin, read a poem called "Letting Go," and thanked the community for their support. 

A GoFundMe page to support the family has raised more than $55,000 from 506 people in six days.

"You guys have been amazingly awesome," the elder Quentin said. "Thank you for everything. You've made things so much easier."

Lupo's mother, Lucy Diaz, also stood and thanked the community.

"Words cannot describe how I feel," Diaz said. "I want to thank you. Letting us know how much you loved Quentin means so much to me. Keep us in your prayers."

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