Louis Caponi - A Great Man - A Great Loss for the LCCA
As President-elect, Lou Caponi was expected to ascend to the Presidency of the LCCA at the annual LCCA Convention held in July 2013 at Chattanooga. Regretfully, he was bedridden since mid-May because of a lingering illness, so he could not attend the Convention and be installed to the office of President at that time. Lou died peacefully on July 31.
Due to the recent uncertainty of his medical situation, the LCCA BOD asked Dennis DeVito to remain as Acting President for at least 90 days with the hope that Lou would recover and be able to fully assume the duties and responsibilities of President.
Lou was a long time leader of the LCCA. As members know, he was the inspiration behind the wonderful, highly successful LCCA Convention Cars and specialty products designed by the LCCA and produced by Lionel LLC. His recent projects included the Standard gauge Goliath locomotive and accompanying Showroom cars, the tinplate Prospector train set, and the Texas Special diesel switcher and matching cars. His last efforts were the Tennessee Valley train ride car and the 2013 Convention On-site Car, which matched the 2013 Convention Car. His very last effort was the as-yet-unannounced operating postwar Monon boxcar – a car which LCCA will dedicate to his legacy.
Thank you Lou for the great times, the memories, the stories, the excitement, the leadership, the guidance, and the friendship you offered to the club.
More info will be announced as it becomes available. Your thoughts and prayers for his family are welcome.
Dennis DeVito
LCCA President