Connor Barbaro, teen who died in ATV crash, remembered with white at Belvidere High

Belvidere High School was set to be a sea of white on Monday morning as students remember 16-year-old soccer and basketball player Connor Barbaro, who died in an ATV accident.

Students followed principal Ed Larrara's suggestion in a tweet on Sunday to wear white as they return to class for the first time since Friday night's incident.

"Absolute silence everywhere you walk. You meant so much to so many. That's clearly shown with the amount of white today," tweeted student Franki Purnell. In a separate tweet, Purnell said, "your respect, courage, brave faces, and kindness is absolutely incredible to see. Very proud to be a Seater (the school's team name)."

There is a remembrance planned for 12:15 p.m.

"Connor was the kid that was always there," friend Colin Hamblin told New Jersey 101.5 Monday. "It didn't matter where or what it was he would be there having a good time. He would do his own thing, He didn't care what you had to say, he would do it anyway. He always lived life in the moment and never looked back."

According to the district, counselors were also set to be at the school after 10 a.m. for students, faculty and staff. Barbaro also played for the West Jersey Soccer Club.

Barbaro's funeral will be on Thursday in the high school gym at 10 a.m., according to his obituary. His viewing is Wednesday at the MacFadden Funeral Home in Belvedere from 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m.

Childhood friend Matt Gallagher told LehighValleyLive.com, "I want Connor to look down at us and be happy that we're all doing something for him in his memory."

His mother Nancy started a GoFundMe.com page in which she said Connor was a few weeks short of his 17th birthday.

"He was a great, all-around wonderful young man who was loved by so many. His jokes and laughter never failed to brighten your day. Everyone who knew Connor liked him and wanted to be his friend," she wrote.

Barbaro's ATV was hit by a pickup truck on Route 46 on Friday night. State Police said he was not wearing a helmet and did not stop at a stop sign.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Belvidere High School Athletic Department, 809 Oxford Street, Belvidere, NJ 07823.