Lou was a good friend. I will miss him.
Very sad news. My heart felt condolence to his family and friends.
Lou’s vision, energy and dedication contributed much to the O gauge hobby and in particular Lionel and the LCCA.
Fortunately, I got to meet Lou about three years ago.
We would chat over lunch, his favorite place here in south jersey was the Philly Diner on the black horse pike.
Seems like we never got to say much when Lou was part of our group.
Lou brought a lot of joy and fun into the lives of many.
He was always there to help out others when he could.
Rest in peace, my friend.
Our O-Gauge hobby has lost a true ambassador of fun, good will, and for the betterment of everything to do with trains. I recently learned that he was ill, but I was still shocked to learn of this news.
Our condolences go to his entire family.
Wow, very sad. Only knew Louie from the yellow hall at York. Pushing my way through the crowd, past the smell of burnt dogs, fried sausage and finally the massive crowd surrounding Charlie RO's corner, his was the first stop at 8 'AM on Friday morning in search of a blowout..
Great memories. He was a character for sure. My sincere condolences to his family.
Joe
RIP Lou, Thanks for everything you have done!!
A spiritual train wreck.My prayers and condolences go out to his family and may Lou rest in peace.
There are no words to describe this loss. Never met Lou in person but we exchanged
emails many times. A nicer man I have never known. God Bless.
Great guy.....I will truly miss him. Back in the old Yellow Hall, he gave me a great deal on a Genesis set. I will treasure it even more than usual.
Peter
Our deepest sympathies to Rose, Dom and the Caponi family. Lou was indeed one of a kind. He will be missed.
Ellen and Rich
Lou was one of the first guys in the hobby who made me feel welcome. I always looked forward to seeing him first at York. First thing out of his mouth the last few York meets was "how is little Vinny?" Wonderful man who will truly be missed.
Very sad news. My prayers go out to his wife, son, and extended family. I'll always remember Lou as the big man with a bigger smile.
Paul
I am deeply saddened by this news that I awoke to here in Vegas. My deepest condolences go out to Lou's family from all of us here. I have known Lou many years from York's to Toy Fairs. Rest in Peace my friend. Charlie, Chris and the staff at Nassau Hobby
This is very sad news to hear. It's obvious Lou was well loved by many - can anyone ask for a better legacy than that? My sincere condolences to all his family and friends.
--Greg
This is certainly shocking news....
. While many of us were aware that Lou was ill, we just knew he would pull out of it simply because he was larger than life!! Strong, determined, focused....just knew he would be with us for a long time. Obviously, the Good Lord had other plans. I'll bet that Lou is already working on a new project up there...might be a way to take our trains with us!!
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Lou and his family....he was THE Ambassador for our hobby and leaves all of us with a sad heart....he certainly will be missed....
Alan
My sympathies to Lou's family and friends. We will all miss Lou's enthusiasm and love for the hobby.
Jim
I'm just sad. RIP Lou.
That is very sad news. Rest In Peace.
Jack
Bless his heart and his family. I didn't know him, but read his posts, which reflected much passion for his hobby. Wouldn't surprise me to find that this passion extended to his loved ones and life, in general...
The world and the hobby is a quieter place and things are not as much fun now that Lou is gone from us.
His endless enthusiasm, talent and creativity was an inspiration for me and for all those who knew him, worked with him, were exasperated by him and loved him. I am delighted that he called me friend. I was so lucky to have him as a friend.
What a sad time this is. The world is a lesser place without you, Lou.
Ed Boyle
Very sad news. Lou was a key player in LCCA and will be sorely missed. Condolences to friends and family. May Lou always get '10s' running his new heavenly layout!
My sympathies and condolences to his family. Lou will truly be missed.
Neal Jeter
This is very sad. Rest in peace Lou. My sympathies to his family and friends. He will be missed.
Lou,
A husband and father. A business man and an innovator in the train world.
A leader and most of all a true friend who never said No to anyone in need.
He will be missed by all who knew him.
Rest in Peace Lou.
SAL GAMBINO
GG1GUYY
Very sad. My sympathies to his family and friends. He was a great guy that cared deeply about this hobby and added a lot of excitement to LCCA club offerings.
RIP Lou.
RIP Lou.
My condolences to his family and friends, he was a great guy
Alex
I first encountered Lou when he co-owned 99 Trains. He was a businessman who loved toy trains. He sought out opportunity to BOTH pursue his love of the hobby and to pay the bills. He was a true entrepreneur. And out of his efforts, we all benefited, not least of all Lou. A shining example if ever there was, of the helping hand of Capitalism. If nothing else, his enthusiasm was contagious.
I met Lou back in the mid 80s when her was working for Chris Gans owner of Nicholas Smith Trains shortly after the Broomall store was open. RIP Lou.
No one was more passionate about trains than Lou.
No one has done more for the LCCA in producing wonderful new items than Lou.
God Bless and RIP.
Eliot
Wow !! what a horror.. dealt with Lou on a number of occasions him over the years ..last time was a number of years ago at the Edison show.. I kidded him telling him I thought he looked like the football player,Tony Siragusa of the Baltimore Ravens, with the one exception that Tony likely had more money in the pockets ... my prayers go out to him and his family..
Sorry to here that bad news.
Originally Posted by Gene H:
I met Lou back in the mid 80s when her was working for Chris Gans owner of Nicholas Smith Trains shortly after the Broomall store was open. RIP Lou.
I remember him being there too. Where do all the years go?? We keep losing all the good people.
Prayers, condolences and deepest sympathies for Lou's family and friends.
Am quite saddened to learn of Louie's passing. What a loss in many aspects! We considered each other friends for over 30 years, and he was always pleasant, positive, and insightful about my personal concerns. The memories and many -- how many remember the year when he had the girls in cutoff overalls handing out flyers for his booth at York? Talk about Eastern Division fits!!!!
Rose, to you and Dominic I send my heartfelt condolences.
Howard Holden
Too bad. I enjoyed seeing him at York, and other shows.
God bless him and his family, and grant them all peace.
This really hurts. Train 99 got me started back in the 80's. This wonderful hobby brings all of us together as family. Rest in peace Lou.
romiller
Train 99 Wow, that takes me back.
My best wishes to the Caponi family & friends.
Another member of the toy train community who has left us too soon. Who can forget him sweeping into a room and dominating all the conversation. He seemed to carry the LCCA on his back, and will really be missed by all. May his memory be a blessing.
Lew Schneider
Lou’ Caponi's Obituary has been posted on the LCCA Web Site with viewing and Funeral Mass service details. If you are going to be in the Philadelphia area, I am certain his family will appreciate your attendance and support. Thank you all for your kind words and support in your postings. It really means a lot to his family.
Go tithe following link for details.
http://www.lionelcollectors.org/lcca-newsstand/lccanews/newsStory.aspx?id=560&catId=20
Sincerely,
Al Kolis
President Elect
Lionel Collectors Club of America
I enjoyed my dealings with Lou through the years. He was a fine person and a credit our railroading community.
Having suffered several premature and unexpected passings in my own family, I’m all too familiar with the profound sense of loss the Caponi family is experiencing in this situation. Perhaps the most comforting thing I can offer the family would be share what a priest said to me after my wife passed on. He reminded me life hasn’t ended; rather, it’s just changed. We may no longer be able to physically see, hear or touch our loved ones but they are now with us more than ever before and never leave our sides. They are experiencing joy which is difficult for us to grasp in our earthly form and, after we’ve led what will hopefully be a long and happy life lived the proper way in this world, they will be there to welcome us “home” when our time comes. The pain of my loss is still great but I continue to find wonderful comfort in these thoughts. It is my hope they do the same for Lou’s family and friends.
God bless and all my prayers,
Bob Callahan
I'll never forget the FIRST time I met Lou. It was 1990 at atrain show in Timonium, MD. I was in heavy negotitions with a fellow over a 2344. We finally agreed on a price, but the fellow said cash only which I didn't have and had not the means to get it. I begged him to take my check, but he refused. As I turned to leave in despair I got a tap on the shoulder. It was Lou, who I had never met. He said, "I overheard your conversation, and if you would like to write me the check, I'll give you the cash." Over the last 23 years our paths crossed many times and never an unpleasant experience. Every time I look at that 2344 displayed in my train room, I smile and thank Lou again and again. Condolences to the family. RIP
So very sorry to hear of this. As described by many previously, I have great memories of visiting his Train 99 & Loco Louie stores in the '80's & '90's. They were great businesses and I was sorry to see them go. Lou was always a congenial, talkative guy, for sure & did much to make the LCCA what it is in piloting all of those special Lionel train offerings. Condolences to his family.
