Herb Capozzi | |
|---|---|
 Herb Capozzi wearing the insignia of theOrder of British Columbia in 2008 | |
| Member of theLegislative Assembly of British Columbia forVancouver Centre | |
| In office January 24, 1967 – October 17, 1972 Serving with Evan Maurice Wolfe | |
| Preceded by | Alexander Small Matthew andLeslie Peterson |
| Succeeded by | Emery Barnes andGary Lauk |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Harold Peter Capozzi (1925-04-24)April 24, 1925 Kelowna,British Columbia |
| Died | November 21, 2011(2011-11-21) (aged 86) Kelowna,British Columbia, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Athlete, businessman, politician |
Harold Peter "Herb"Capozzi (April 24, 1925 – November 21, 2011) was an athlete, businessman, professional sports team manager and political figure inBritish Columbia. He representedVancouver Centre in theLegislative Assembly of British Columbia from 1966 to 1972 as aSocial Credit member. He ran unsuccessfully for the Legislature in the 1963, 1972 and 1975 provincial elections.
He was born inKelowna in 1925,[1] the son of Pasquale "Cap" Capozzi, anItalian immigrant. Capozzi won a sports scholarship to theUniversity of British Columbia, where he receivedB.A. andBComm degrees. At university, Herb was a member of the BC Alpha chapter of thePhi Delta Theta fraternity. In 1952, he moved toCalgary, where he worked forShell Oil.[2]
Capozzi played with theCalgary Stampeders andMontreal Alouettes of theCanadian Football League. As aracketball player, he won the Canadian Masters championship in 1974 and the Canadian Golden Masters championship in 1981. Capozzi was general manager of theBC Lions from 1957 to 1966[3] when he was elected to the provincial assembly. The Lions won theGrey Cup in 1964.[4]
He loaned theVancouver Canuckshockey team then owned by Northwest Sports enough money to continue operations in 1971, helping to keep the team in Canada.[3]
Capozzi established theVancouver Whitecaps soccer team in 1974. He served as owner, president, and board chairman of the team. Under his ownership, the team won theNorth American Soccer League (NASL) Soccer Bowl title in 1979.[3]
He was a member of theBC Sports Hall of Fame and theCanadian Soccer Hall of Fame[3] and had received theOrder of British Columbia in 2008.[5]
Capozzi was a director responsible for food, entertainment and housing forExpo 86.[3]
He was a co-founder ofThe Keg restaurant chain with George Tidball and was instrumental in bringingMcDonald's restaurants to Canada.[3] He was an owner ofCalona Wines and the Capri Hotel (now theCoast Capri Hotel) and Capri Centre Mall. Capozzi was also president of Pasadena Investments, a development company based in Kelowna.[6]
He died at home inKelowna[4] at the age of 86 fromtongue cancer.[6]
