Public invited to celebration of Life for Altobelli family Monday at Angel Stadium

The Altobelli family in a photo from 2014, from top left-clockwise J.J. Altobelli, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alexis Altobelli and Alyssa Altobelli.  (Photo courtesy OCC Media Relations, For OC Sports Zone)

The general public is invited to Monday’s Celebration of Life at Angel Stadium to honor members of the Altobelli family: former Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife Keri, 43, and the couple’s 13-year-old daughter Alyssa who were killed in a helicopter crash.

The celebration will be held on the field at 4 p.m. and the public is invited to attend and watch from the stands. There is no admission charge. Doors will open at 3 p.m. Those attending should enter through the home plate gate.

There will also be free parking in the stadium lots off of State College and Orangewood Avenues.

Altobelli, 56, was about to enter his 28th season as the Pirates head coach. His loss devastated the Orange Coast College and baseball community.

The Altobellis were killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas on Sunday, Jan. 26 that also took the lives of Laker legend Kobe Bryant, age 41; Gianna Bryant, 13; Sarah Chester, 45; Payton Chester, 13; Christina Mauser, 38 and pilot Ara Zobayan, 50.

Organizers are asking that in lieu of flowers, those who want to support the victims’ families should consider donate to either a Go Fund Me account for the Altobelli family or a memorial fund established by Orange Coast College.

A turnout of between 4,000 and 8,000 is expected to attend. OCC’s interim coach Nate Johnson said the Pirate players and coaches will attend.

OCC held a ceremony for Coach Altobelli on Jan. 28 that attracted an estimated 2,500 fans before the team’s first game.