Barry Vazquez II was the embodiment of the spirit of excellence. From an early age, he showed signs of strong character and a unique drive to excel. His integrity was far beyond his years and he held himself to a high level of commitment, and diligence in all areas of his young life. He was after God’s heart and a true disciple. A dedicated student, he earned straight A’s every year through his final year in sixth grade.

Barry was a great athlete. At three, he first picked up a basketball, and by the age of 5 was already playing at local recreation centers. Before long, people began to take notice of his natural talent and passion for basketball. He was invited to play in a more challenging environment at various centers such as The Boys and Girls Club, The Martin House and the West Ward Recreation Center.

Heartbreak visited the Vazquez family February 2007, as they learned that young Barry was diagnosed with Leukemia at the age of twelve. However tragic the news, his family firmly believed that regardless of the circumstances, God’s Grace was going to give them the strength to endure. Over the course of seven months, the Vazquez Family traveled from the New Brunswick Cancer Center to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for a Bone Marrow Transplant. On September 16, 2007, Barry’s body shut down and he went home to be with the Lord just shy of his thirteenth birthday.