Toby E. Sheets

Toby E. Sheets, best friend, big brother, and accomplished horseman crossed the finish line June 16, 2024. An esteemed trainer for more than thirty years, Toby worked with many notable horses including stakes winners Creator, Haynesfield, Bankit, and Cluster of Stars. 

Toby despised phonies, know-it-alls, whiners, cheats and Arkansas- in reverse order. Born in 1969 to Ronnie Sheets and Judy Barnes, he was the oldest of five boys and a very large group of first cousins (some of whom he even knew by name). He is survived by his parents; brothers Rusty Barnes, Shannon, Justyn, and Casey Sheets; a large extended family; and more friends than any one person should be allowed.

Toby was known for singing loudly, dancing with abandon, honest observations, infectious wild laughter and absolute loyalty to his family and his family of friends. He was a contradiction; the meanest and sweetest, the loudest and the quietest, the happiest and the saddest, the most infuriating and the most endearing person anyone could call a friend, son, brother, or uncle. His nephew, Spencer, described him as, “the most genuine, impudent, uncaring, caring person,” whose lack of inhibition, abundant compassion, giant personality, and many heartfelt words will not soon be forgotten.

Although a less than average life span, Toby did not live an average life. He traveled where he wanted to travel, laughed inappropriately at every chance, learned what he wanted to learn, and loved who he wanted to love. 

A Celebration of Toby’s Life will be held Sunday, July 7, 2024, 5:30pm- 9pm with a Remembrance Service beginning at 7:30pm at Belmont Chaplaincy Center located just inside Gate 6 entrance to Belmont Park on Hempstead Avenue in Elmont, NY.       

The family request no flowers at this time there will be a memorial fund available after his celebration of life service.