"Father of WNY softball" remembered

CLARENCE, N.Y. (WIVB) - He has been called "one of the fathers of softball in western New York."

Tuesday night, families filled Sports Performance Park inside the Eastern Hills Mall to remember John Tripi, Jr. The North Buffalo-native died Saturday after suffering a heart attack. He was just 59.

Tripi oversaw the Amherst Town League and the Lightning Travel Softball Program, which both gave hundreds of girls the chance to shine on the softball field.

Tom Allers, a friend of Tripi's, said, "He got them coaching, he spent time with them, he always checked in to see how they were doing, he gave them encouragement, he wanted to build confidence in young women and he cared about them."

John Tripi, Jr. leaves behind a wife, two children and a large, extended family.