By Joey Viola

Thirty-two pool players came from as far as Georgia on Sunday to celebrate the life of a departed friend, in a tournament that raised more than $9,000 to fight juvenile diabetes.

Inaugural Leonard P. Pergentile 8-Ball Invitational, March 24, 2024. Photo courtesy of Joey Viola.

Tavern Off the Green and Morristown’s Fraternal Order of Eagles 1311 hosted the Inaugural Leonard P. Pergentile 8-Ball Invitational, a daylong event that felt more like a family gathering than a competition.

Raffle items were donated by local businesses including Tavern, the Glenbrook Brewery, Arthur’s Tavern, Grasshopper Off the Green and the podcast, Greetings From The Garden State.

Special limited edition Lenny Invitational t-shirts were made by the Morris T-Shirt Factory, which featured the tournaments logo created by Matt Timney.

Ankur Jain, and Ananth B., winners of the Inaugural Leonard P. Pergentile 8-Ball Invitational, March 24, 2024. Photo courtesy of Joey Viola.

The American Poolplayers Association of Northern New Jersey donated trophies to the winners of the tournament, Ananth B. and Ankur Jain, along with other cool swag for participants.

The organizers would like to give very special thank you’s to Tavern owners Michelle and Jamie Moore. Without their help, this event would have never have gotten done. They are perfect examples of what’s great about the Morristown community.

Lenny Pergentile passed away last year shortly before his Morristown team, The Other Guys, headed to a Vegas tournament. His mom and sister joined Sunday’s festivities.

Lenny loved “Good People.” Sunday was an example of what “Good People” can get done for a good cause.

You can still donate to the cause.

Plans already are underway for next year’s Second Annual Leonard P. Pergentile 8-Ball Invitational, which will be even bigger and better!

Inaugural Leonard P. Pergentile 8-Ball Invitational, Morristown Fraternal Order of Eagles, March 24, 2024. Photo courtesy of Joey Viola. Inaugural Leonard P. Pergentile 8-Ball Invitational, March 24, 2024. Photo courtesy of Joey Viola. Inaugural Leonard P. Pergentile 8-Ball Invitational, Tavern Off the Green, March 24, 2024. Photo courtesy of Joey Viola. Inaugural Leonard P. Pergentile 8-Ball Invitational, Tavern Off the Green, March 24, 2024. Photo courtesy of Joey Viola.