Herb Capozzi, the pro football player, B.C. Lions general manager, MLA and co-founder of the Keg restaurant chain, died Monday of cancer at the age of 86.
Capozzi, a recipient of the Order of British Columbia and a member of the BC Sports Hall of Fame, was a star athlete who played pro football for the Montreal Alouettes and Calgary Stampeders.
In 1957, Capozzi became general manager of the B.C. Lions – a position he held for nearly a decade, leading the club to its first Grey Cup win in 1964.
In 1971, Capozzi invested $3.65 million in the Vancouver Canucks to help keep the team in Vancouver. Capozzi also co-founded the Vancouver Whitecaps in the 1970s.
Besides his sports successes, Capozzi was a Social Credit MLA, a broadcaster, a stock promoter and the co-founder of Calona Wines.
He was a director of Expo 86, responsible for food, entertainment and housing.
Capozzi also ran a Kelowna-based family business, Pasadena Investments – a land and property development company.
Jenny Wagler
@JennyWagler_BIV