Those attending the Lernerville Speedway may find something missing the next time they visit.

Samuel J. Capicotto Jr., 84, of Butler died Tuesday. He and his wife and twin daughters worked at a stall at the racetrack.

Capicotto's successes started with a partnership. His wife, Gloria, said she met her husband over the phone, falling in love with his voice. Married almost 65 years, the couple started their Capco Paper Co. and Capicotto Concessions over 40 years ago.

Gloria said her husband was walking down the street when a man offered to sell the building on Center Avenue to him. Her husband told the man he had only 50 cents in his pocket. The man still offered to sell him the building for just that.

“He thought it was a joke,” Gloria said.

Two weeks later, Capicotto was signing papers making him the owner, according to Gloria.

“That's a true story,” she said.

In that building, their first company sold janitorial supplies and paper products. It didn't do well at first, according to Gloria, but she and her husband had a strong faith in God, and they overcame the hardship.

Susan Frawley, Capicotto's daughter, said her father's jovial personality granted him great relationships with customers. She said her father also possessed a quick wit, allowing him to remember what was in stock without checking any computer or list.

“He had it all in his mind; that's how sharp he was,” she said. “That store is never going to be the same because that store is him.”

Capicotto started selling popcorn. He bought a trailer to sell it from, then added funnel cakes, sausages, steak hoagies and more to its list.

The concession business landed him at Lernerville Speedway, where he, his wife and his twin daughters worked a stall.

“He worked to the day he died,” his wife said. “He just loved it there.”

Gloria Capicotto said her husband loved the speedway for the people it brought together.

“He loved the people there,” she said. “They treated him like family.”

His twin daughters, Darlene and Denise, said their father was their biggest role model, and they cherished working in the stall.

“Dad was glad to see us each and every day,” they said.

Maria Marburger, another of Capicotto's four daughters, said her father was pivotal to the community as a business owner, and he also lent his time to those in need. He used his work ethic to extend beyond his business, and then passed that down for generations.

“He taught us how to run a business, how to operate it and how to treat people,” she said. “He was always willing to help others, especially other small businesses.”

A viewing will be conducted from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Geibel Funeral Home in Butler. A service will take place Saturday at St. Michael Roman Catholic Church in Butler.