James “Ponce” Garbarino Jr. passed away on October 31, 2021, at 78 in Tamarac, Florida. He had been hospitalized with Covid19 and died from complications due to the disease.

He is survived by his son James 3rd (Dianna) of Tallahassee, Florida, daughter Joelle (James) of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; three grandchildren, Alyssa (Michael) of Coconut Creek Florida, Nicholas and Anna of Tallahassee, Florida; two great-grandchildren Landon James and Paisley Joelle of Coconut Creek, Florida; and sister Jeanne D (Gina) (Vincent) of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Doting uncle to Alexis (Dan) of Plantation Fl., Ashley of Ft. Lauderdale Fl., and Vincent (Jocelyn) of Pompano Fl.

Ponce was born in Buffalo, NY, on December 6, 1942, to the late James Anthony and Jeanne D (Bellanca) Garbarino. He graduated from Grover Cleveland High School on Buffalo’s West Side in 1962. He worked as a photographer and media specialist and covered celebrities and sports figures during that time, and was able to travel the world in this occupation. Ponce earlier had worked in South Florida’s hottest disco clubs and on the air as a disc jockey. In his spare time, Ponce was an avid automobile buff and was involved in many car clubs and collected cars throughout his life.

Ponce will be honored in Buffalo, NY, at a celebration of life as part of a Ponce’s Memorial Picnic in late Summer 2022. More details will be forthcoming at a later date.