Barry Del Buono, a prominent figure in the San Jose nonprofit sector, passed away on December 26, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 74 years old. Throughout his life, Del Buono held numerous roles, including that of a former priest, husband, father, and dedicated advocate for the homeless.
His son, Don Ho, remarked on his father’s mission, stating, “Barry’s arc was not just the homeless. It was improving the livelihoods of people.” This dedication to service resonated deeply in the community, with many recalling how Del Buono profoundly impacted their lives, both as a priest and a nonprofit leader.
Legacy of Service in Nonprofit Leadership
Del Buono co-founded the Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen in 1980, an organization that provides meals to families in need. He later took the helm of EHC LifeBuilders, which has since been rebranded as HomeFirst. His leadership led to an astonishing growth in the organization’s annual budget, which expanded from just $17,000 to nearly $10 million over his 27-year tenure.
U.S. Representative Sam Liccardo, who knew Del Buono for four decades, described him as possessing a unique blend of “chutzpah and deep commitment to his mission.” Liccardo emphasized, “Whether he wore a collar or not, he understood who he was serving. His passion for tackling homelessness became infectious.”
A memorial service to honor Del Buono’s contributions will be held on January 16, 2024, at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Cathedral Basilica in downtown San Jose.
Del Buono’s impactful presence in Silicon Valley extended far beyond his professional achievements. His family reported that he often preferred to stay out of the spotlight. His son, Ben Del Buono, reflected on his father’s humility, saying, “Throughout all of this, my dad didn’t have to talk much about what he did. He showed us, through our own experiences and in the impact his work had on Silicon Valley.”
A Family Man and Educator
Even as he devoted his life to helping the less fortunate, Del Buono was known as the “ultimate family man.” He took an active role in coaching football, despite not being particularly fond of sports, and relished in the joy of large family gatherings, particularly during the Christmas season. His five children and seven grandchildren were central to his life.
In his mid-50s, Del Buono entered what his family referred to as his third act when he met his second wife, Maile Ho, at an American Leadership Forum retreat. Maile, an instructor at San Jose City College, inspired him to share his knowledge, leading him to become an associate faculty member in sociology.
Even in his final days, as he prepared for his last hospital visit in December, Del Buono continued to focus on his students. According to Maile, he decided to give everyone an A, stating, “They don’t need food and they don’t need shelter. But they need the grades.”
His final project sought to address both housing and education by planning to build teacher housing for the San Jose Evergreen Community College District at Evergreen Valley College. His son, Don, hopes to see this vision realized as part of his father’s enduring legacy.
“Barry was the consummate giver,” Maile reflected. “Even if he didn’t have anything to give, he still gave.” Del Buono’s life serves as a testament to the power of compassion and commitment to community service, leaving behind a remarkable legacy that will inspire future generations.
