Lou Capozzola
After a long and successful career as a sports photographer, Louis John Capozzola of Westhampton Beach died on Thursday, August 18, with his wife of 38 years, Pam, by his side. He was 61.
Mr. Capozzola was born July 8, 1950, in the Bronx and grew up playing stickball and football in the streets, and sandlot baseball in the shadows of Yankee Stadium. He would recall that he could “do a pop-up slide on asphalt and a button hook at the Buick.” He was an all-city football player for Fordham Prep School and was a running back for Fordham University.
After injuries kept him off the football field, he picked up a camera. Inspired by Henri Cartier Bresson, Ernst Haas, and Robert Frank, Mr. Capozzola bought a Leica camera and began developing what would be his lifelong passion. He spent his days walking the streets of New York City, capturing moments in time.
Upon graduation from college he got a job as an assistant to advertising photographer Jerry Abramowitz. It was in Mr. Abramowitz’s studio where he refined his skills, acquiring a wealth of knowledge in the darkroom and a greater understanding of lighting for studio and location photography.
In 1980, Mr. Capozzola was able to combine his love of sports and his passion for photography when he was hired by Sports Illustrated as an assistant photographer. This evolved into shooting assignments for The New York Times, the NBA, the Upper Deck Company and Sports Illustrated. He had the opportunity to travel the world on assignment, covering boxing, hockey, basketball, track and field, horse racing, football, baseball, and the Olympic games. However, his favorite was hockey and he looked forward to covering the Stanley Cup playoffs each year.
While photography was his professional passion, it was dwarfed by the love and dedication he had for his family and friends. To Mr. Capozzola, family always came first. His vibrant charisma was felt on the ball field, the golf course, the beach, the skating rink, or in the mountains when leading his family and friends with his comedic energy and passion. According to his family, he was an empowering coach, an avid competitor, a loving friend, guide, son, brother, husband and devoted father.
He is survived by his wife Pam; children, Taj and Eva; sister, Barbara “Bunny” Alloway; his father, Carmine “Cappy” Capozzola; his aunt, Angela Demarco; his uncle, Robert “Bobby” Capozzola; and many close and loving family and friends.
Visitation took place on Wednesday, August 24, at the Follett & Werner Funeral Home. A funeral Mass was held at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Westhampton Beach on Thursday, August 25.
on Aug 30, 2011