Known as an “Ambassador for British Columbia,” Herb Capozzi made substantial contributions in the arenas of sports, tourism, business and government.

Mr. Capozzi served as a member of the B.C. Legislature for two terms during the 1960s.

He was Captain of the University of British Columbia’s Football team and went on to play pro football with the Montreal Allouettes and Calgary Stampeders. He was a Canadian Singles Racquetball Doubles Master and Canadian Masters Racquetball Champion. Following his pro football years, Herb became General Manager of the BC Lions, and for 10 years made many significant changes which included implementing the C.F.L.’s first Medical plan.

In the 1970s Herb assumed control of the Vancouver Canucks, a move which kept the Canucks in Vancouver and away from U.S. control. In the same decade, Herb also started the Whitecaps soccer team, bringing professional soccer to British Columbia for the first time in its history.

Herb was instrumental in bringing McDonald’s Restaurants to Canada, and co-founded the Keg Restaurants. He co-owned and served as vice-president of Calona Wines, the Capri Hotel and shopping centre and gave many millions to charities throughout B.C. through “Dabbers” – Kelowna’s first professional Bingo Parlour.

He served as a director of the highly successful Expo 86, responsible for food, entertainment and housing.

Mr. Capozzi has been inducted into the UBC Sports Hall of Fame, the Vancouver College Sports Hall of Fame, the Italian Cultural Society Hall of Fame, the BC Sports Hall of Fame, and most recently the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame.

At 83, he was President and Patriarch of the family-owned business Pasadena Investments, a very successful property and land development company in Kelowna, B.C. He was actively involved with Smile Africa: a foundation that promotes literacy in Africa. He was widely known across the province for his dynamic, entrepreneurial spirit and great generosity.