By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
August 15, 2026-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is mourning the loss of longtime referee, instructor, mentor and assessor Joseph Danbusky, who passed away peacefully at home on August 12 after a long battle with cancer. The New Hyde Park resident was 80 years old.
Joe’s “real job” was working as a courier for FedEx for many years before retiring but he found his passion in the Beautiful Game. He was a referee at the youth, adult, high school and college levels and as the years went on, he became a dedicated instructor, becoming Eastern New York’s Director of Instruction. He also served for over a decade on the Board of Directors of the New York Metro Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association (NYMISOA). In the twilight of his life, Joe still showed up to help at Eastern New York ref clinics in-between his chemotherapy treatments.
The Long Island Soccer Referees Association (LISRA) stated, “Joe found tremendous joy in devoting himself to teaching, mentoring and preparing the next generation of soccer officials. He approached the game with the same qualities he brought to everything in his life: discipline, fairness, attention to detail and an unwavering commitment to doing things the right way.”
Visitation is Monday, August 17 from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm at the New Hyde Park Funeral Home, 506 Lakeville Road, New Hyde Park, NY. Funeral Mass on Tuesday, August 18 at 10:45 am at Notre Dame Church, 5 Mayfair Road, New Hyde Park.
We have lost a very good man! May he rest in peace.
With over 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border, east of Route 81. ENYYSA encourages the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Children With Special Needs. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of US Soccer and US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/