CAPOZZI, Herb - On November 21st, 2011, Herb Capozzi headed towards the light. He walked off the Grid Iron, the Court, the Soccer Pitch, across Howe and Hornby Streets and out of the legislature and board rooms, through rows of grape vines and towards God, where he joined his mother Maria, father “Cap” (Pasquale) and two brothers, Joe and Tom. One family complete again.

Known as an “Ambassador for British Columbia,” Herb made substantial contributions in sports, business, tourism and government. He was a colourful and charismatic citizen who challenged and mastered all that he attempted with style, passion and his legendary smile.

In the 40s, Herb was Captain of the University of British Columbia’s football and basketball teams and a Rhodes Scholar candidate. In 1947, he was offered a contract with the New York Giants. Herb turned it down to accept a Rotary International Scholarship to study at the University of Perugia for two years, becoming fluent in Italian. While there, he played basketball for the Italian University National Team against the Harlem Globetrotters. Herb was always grateful for the scholarship and this led to a lifelong admiration and appreciation for Rotary Foundations and the work they do.

In 1952 he resumed his football career with the CFL, playing six years for the Calgary Stampeders and Montreal Alouettes. From 1957-1967, Herb became General Manager for the BC Lions and became the longest-running general manager, implementing the team’s first medical plan. He signed players like Joe Kapp and Willie Fleming. As GM, Herb saw two Grey Cups in 1963 and 1964, the team winning in 1964. Herb played in two Grey Cups himself and throughout his life went to 33 more Grey Cups as a spectator. Herb left the Lions to become a Social Credit MLA and served two terms. In 1971 Herb bought the Canucks for 3.6 million, a move that kept the team in Vancouver and out of U.S. control. He was always cheering for the underdog, even establishing three scholarships per year during his MLA days, not for the fastest or smartest, but for the candidate with the “highest mountains to climb.” Herb strove to achieve and was not afraid to be a pioneer. He was part of many firsts. He started the Vancouver Whitecaps, BC’s first professional soccer team. He co-founded the Keg Restaurants and was instrumental in bringing McDonald’s restaurants to Canada. He co-owned and was Vice President of Calona Wines, the Capri Hotel and Shopping Centre. He started the first racquetball club in Vancouver called “The MARC”; he was a Canadian Singles Racquetball Doubles Master and Canadian Masters Racquetball Champion. He started Sneaky Pete’s, a highly successful disco in its day. He gave millions and millions to charities through Dabbers – Kelowna’s first professional bingo parlor. He served as a director of Food, Entertainment and Housing in the highly successful Expo 86. He received the Order of British Columbia in 2008. He was a gifted public and motivational speaker, speaking at colleges and prisons, foundations and roasts. Until his death Herb had many encounters with people who would tell him that his speech had changed their lives, motivated them to move on or do the impossible.

Herb was also successful in his relationships, wooing his beautiful wife Alixandra (nee Ydo) to marry him and for the next 20 years she was always by his side, he by hers, right until the very end. Alix was Herb’s muse, his spirit lifter, his confidante, his greatest love and his greatest supporter. Alix and Herb lived the purest example of what love could and should be. He was a great father to four children, Paula Humphries (Les), Greg Capozzi (Brenda), Sandy Capozzi and Sheena Capozzi-Nicolaou (Loullis), proud grandfather of nine, Ciara, Christi, Katie, Julie, Heather, Spencer, Sebastian, Anthony and Siena and loving godfather to Tatiana Alixandra Rose.

Herb has been inducted into the UBC Sports Hall of Fame, Vancouver College Hall of Fame, Italian Cultural Hall of Fame, BC Sports Hall of Fame, and the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame. As President and patriarch of the family-owned business, Pasadena Investments, Inc., Herb oversaw the successful land and development company until the day he passed.

A special thanks to Dr. Mike Koss who helped Herb and Alix with such caring compassion and sincerity. We are all very happy for Herb as he used his earthly vessel to its absolute maximum until it could be used no more. Herb has now turned it in for a new model.

A service will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 2:00 pm at St. Charles Garnier Catholic Church, 3645 Benvoulin Road, Kelowna, BC.

We ask that in lieu of flowers and cards you make a donation to the Central Okanagan Foundation – Herb Capozzi Memorial Fund, 217-1889 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 5V5; phone: 250.861.6160 or online at www.centralokanaganfoundation.org.

Herb was born April 24th, 1925. As per his request his epitaph will read: “THE RUMOURS OF MY DEATH ARE HIGHLY EXAGGERATED.”

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.springfieldfuneralhome.com, 250-860-7077.

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