Knick players and Coney Island residents descended upon Neptune Avenue yesterday for the funeral service of Brooklyn basketball patriarch Donald Marbury – the father of Stephon Marbury and five other sons who played at Lincoln HS.
A standing-room only crowd of 700 packed Coney Island Gospel Assembly for a two-hour “homegoing” service that alternated between somber and festive.
Stephon Marbury, dressed in a black suit and black tie, alternated between the front row with his mother, Mabel, and the second row with his wife and kids.
The Knick star did not speak at the service, but all seven Marbury siblings got up for a heart-rending group embrace in which all – particularly Stephon – could be seen bawling.
Malik Rose was the designated Knick speaker, and all the players joined him on the pulpit. The show of unity came only three weeks after teammates were angry at Marbury for bolting on their West Coast road trip.
The crowd stood and gave the Knicks a standing ovation for showing up.
“We’re grieving with brother Marbury,” Rose told the packed house. “Words can’t express what you’re feeling and what the entire family is feeling. We feel it, too. We’ll continue to pray for you all.”
Rapper Fat Joe and ex-Knicks Allan Houston, John Starks and Howard Eisley, whose wives are close, were also on hand.
Garden President Steve Mills was there, but owner James Dolan was not.
“Everyone knew Donald,” Fat Joe said as he left the church.
Marbury’s mates were around him late Sunday night in the Garden locker-room area when he first learned the tragic news that his father had suffered a heart attack at halftime of the game between the Knicks and Phoenix Suns.
“There are a lot of times I don’t understand what happens to me or around me,” Rose told the mourners.
“The Bible says we’re not to supposed to lean on our understanding, but to trust in God.”
Rose, David Lee and Jamal Crawford, whom Marbury had asked to win Wednesday’s game against the Nets for him, served as pallbearers.
Coach Isiah Thomas elected not to hold a practice on the emotional day, and the team arrived from Westchester for the long service. The Knicks play the Sixers tonight in Philadelphia.
Family friends expect Marbury to return Saturday at the Garden, again against the Sixers.
Donald “was everything to Steph,” said Marvet Britto, a longtime friend and publicist for Marbury. “He was their rock – not just of family, but of Coney Island. Stephon is clearly heartbroken.”
One of the speakers at the service, introduced as Mrs. Garcia of PS 29, called Donald Marbury, who was to turn 69 in two weeks, “the most important father figure in Coney Island. He showed to all of Coney Island that fathers are very important, fathers run the show and men have to lead us.”
Family friend Gloria Watkins said Donald had become very generous since his son made the NBA.
“They’d give out turkeys to anyone who could walk; sneakers, food, books,” she said. “Their family were givers.”