Matty let me know that Captain Lou Albano passed away at the age of 76. Bummer. He lived a good life. Had a great career. Even had a song written about him. By all accounts, he was a good guy — very nice, and quick with a smile.
But my favorite story about Captain Lou comes from Allie, an old friend (and classmate) from Ithaca (who not only has an excellent eco-blog in The Greenists, but also has a novel coming out in 2010…). After the brouhaha at Lou’s 75th Birthday Party last fall, Allie told me her own tale about Captain Lou on Facebook:
“I used to be Captain Lou’s bartender. He came in every afternoon at 4 and hung out — fought with the guy who liked to watch Oprah until he’d concede to Captain Lou and put Judge Judy on. Drank white wine in a weird and specific way (glass of ice, glass of wine, glass of water — and constantly messed with the levels like it was a science experiment). He’s actually one of the sweetest men I’ve ever met — really does completely live up to the awesomeness. He still wore the rubber band in his beard, wore Hawaiian shirts, and kept a little baggie of dried papaya in his pocket because he said it helped with digestion. Carried headshots with him at all times and signed them ‘Jesus Loves You, Captain Lou.’ I should have asked him for one, but I never did.”
Rest in peace, Louis Vincent Albano. Often imitated, never duplicated.
