Victor Richard Garbarini, Sherborne II classmate and enduring friend, was born March 4, 1949, in the Bronx, NYC. He died February 7, 2026. He was in the top-notch Inova Hospital of northern Virginia, having recently been quite ill, then diagnosed with pneumonia and cancer. His long-time partner, Kate Dombroski, and her sister Carole were with him as he transitioned.
Victor will be remembered for his wit, humor, and entertaining stories. Many having to do with the famous musicians he met and interviewed. Besides being the editor for Musician magazine, Vic wrote for Rolling Stone and other publications. His interview with Paul McCartney was among the most notable.
Victor was much more than just a loveable character. The following excerpt from my memoir of the Basic Course at Sherborne House reveals a short glimpse of his spiritual side. We were gathered in the Horse Parlor for observations on the week’s Theme,
Reversal of the Flow of Forces:
December 16, 1972—
Victor, with his radio-announcer baritone and congenial presence, spoke up first, and as usual, at great length. Tonight, he didn’t spin a tale with a humorous punch line. He talked about having felt something percolating inside for several weeks which he’d tried to ask questions about before but found himself unable to.
“It felt like something inside was trying to reset but I was blocking it with my body and my mind, afraid to trust it. But I stayed with it. Finally, during hermeneutics class, I felt something in my body was set right,” Victor explained. “Then, during Movements class Pierre introduced a new movement and said it was quite difficult. I almost laughed, because it seemed so easy. My body just did it.” (Victor was known for his irreverent humor, not his nimble body.) “This energy seems to come from behind and through me, as if ‘Victor’ is transparent,” he continued. “It’s not mine, it belongs to everybody.”
Mr. Bennett asked gently, “And how do you tie this in with this week’s Theme?” Victor considered for a moment and replied, “It’s not like I’m reversing the flow of forces—I don’t turn anything around; what’s needed is to get out of the way so something can come through.”
Mr. B nodded, “Yes, that is it. We consent to it, we don’t ‘do’ it—reverse the flow. It’s when we open and allow something inside ourselves to flow—it needs to come from Wish.” [Real People, Chapter 41]
Victor’s passing seems to have come from that place. Even as he was losing consciousness, I understand he was thanking each nurse or technician as they attended him, allowing something to flow. Vic’s sister, JoAnne, had arrived the day before. HIs brother, Paul, had been in close contact with Vic’s doctors. Kate Dombroski, his dedicated partner in life, along with her sister Carole, stayed with Vic at the hospital.
In the early hours of February 7th, 2026, Kate texted,
“Vic passed into the Light Saturday morning at 4:59 am. He was profoundly peaceful.”
Beautiful Roberta💖💖💖
Thank you 🙏
I am sorry for the loss of your friend but what a beautiful passing this must have been.
I’ve always had a real fondness for Vic. Back when I first met Lena — also known in those days as Judy, Helen, or “Plofsi” from her Ouija Board phase — she and Vic had dated. I later married her at Sherborne near the end of our second year.
I clearly remember the first time I met him, shortly after Lena and I connected in the fall of 1972. I went up to his room, introduced myself, and after we shook hands he said, “I hear you’re dating Lena.” I said yes. Then he added something that has stayed with me for decades: “Do you realize you’re entering the Zellweger School of Home Economics?”
I asked what he meant. He just smiled and said, “You’ll see.”
Vic was absolutely right. The very first argument Lena and I ever had at Sherborne House was about how to do a proper French fold on the bedding at the bottom corner of the bed.
So thanks for the heads-up, Vic. And who knows — maybe you and Lena still get in a dance now and then somewhere up in the clouds. Love ya, my friend.
Thank you Michael, what a great and perfect way to remember both Vic and Lena. I totally resinate with both of them in this vignette.Love it.
Thank you, Roberta…
I’m hoping to devote some time to compiling as many of Vic’s writings all in one place. I have a good start and some good leads. Would be great to have a kind of treasury of his humorous and witty stories…some of which must be written down somewhere (?). If there’s ever a book, all proceeds would go to Katie.
Anyone seeing this who may want to contribute to the cause contact me at
famesjarrelly@gmail.com
That man was a Lightbearer and so is Katie,
Hi James, that would be great. I’ll let Katy know you are willing to do this. She said she has all the articles he wrote. She’ll need some time to get her life sorted out before delving into that, I’m sure. I’d give her a month or more. She can be reached via her facebook.
Yes!!!
Thank you James!
I lived in London while Victor was there also seeing Dr Sharma. Thru Victor I got to hear Sting and go backstage to meet him . I loved Victor’s marvelous sense of humor and so glad I got to spend some time with him. Will miss you old friend!
💚 VG
Thank you Roberta for sharing this profoundly beautiful Tribute.
Thank you especially for sharing Vic’s observation that you witnessed/experienced when you were both in a theme meeting on Sherborne 2.
The spiritual resonance of Vic’s words, and Mr. B’s response, exemplify the essence and identity of both in a way that transcends ordinary time…and ordinary “life”.
Perfect. Thank you, Roberta!
A life well lived and a death well done. Vic’s memory will be a blessing to so many people. Thank you, Roberta
Vic was a sweet man. That’s not an adjective that you can use with accuracy for many males of our species. His sweetness was in his sensitivity and his inutuition. His oft-noted goofy and insightful sense of humor never strayed into “making fun of….”
He remained sweet even when confused by a world that did not meet him with honey. When misunderstood, or even when mistreated, he did not turn sour. He was simply bewildered, with no hint of reprisal. A sour world was incomprehensible to him. Vic was my Best Man when I married Pat at Claymont in 1979. He’s a Best Man in my heart.