BCA Hall of Famer Butera Dead
Fast-shooting former world champion and Billiard Congress of America Hall of Famer “Machine Gun” Lou Butera passed away June 25 in Los Angeles. Butera, 78, had been battling Parkinson’s disease for several years. Born in Pittson, Pa., Butera learned to play in a poolroom owned by his father. A devoted family man, Butera played in professional tournaments only sporadically, opting instead to work in both billiard rooms and billiard retail stores as a means to fend for his wife, Caroline (who died in 2012), and seven children. Butera was 35 when he won his only world title, wresting the crown from Irving Crane in 1973. His rapid-fire shooting style made Butera a fan-favorite.
Living in L.A., Butera was often called upon to serve as technical advisor for pool scenes in films and television shows, and even appeared on film several times.
Butera is survived by his seven children and many grandchildren.
Pro-Celebrity Pool Tournament Will Raise Money for Asthma
The 8th Annual Sorvino Asthma Foundation’s “Pro-Celebrity Pool Tournament” will take place Aug. 21-23 at the Venetian Casino Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev.
The celebrities scheduled to attend are: Paul Sorvino, Mira Sorvino, Jerry Orbach, Hulk Hogan, James Tolkan, David Brenner, Pat Cooper, Joe Piscopo, Ray Franza, Penn Gillette, Alfredo Versace, Yogi Berra, and others.
The pool players who will be in attendance include: Loree Jon Jones, Ewa Laurance, Fran Crimi, Lou Butera, Allen Hopkins, Paul Brienza, Mike Massey, and Tony Robles.
There will be 8 scotch doubles teams playing 7-ball races to 5. The event will be taped for possible later airing. For more information, contact Charles Ursitti, Executive Director or the Sorvino Asthma Foundation at (212) 941-8686 or Jackie Zlatanovski, Special Events at the Venetian, at (702) 414-1501.