Tony Maurello, known as ‘Mr. Super Night’ in the state of Illinois, passed away on January 25.
Visitation will be on Friday (Jan. 31) from 3-9 p.m. at Kosary Funeral Home, 9837 South Kedzie Ave., Evergreen Park, IL 60805.
A full obituary will be posted when available.
"I can't recall when Tony wasn't around praising and encouraging harness racing," said USTA President Phil Langley. "In the early days of Super Night he singlehandedly recruited a thousand or so people from his trucking business contacts by throwing a huge party at Sportsman's Park. You could always recognize Tony because he was the only one wearing a tuxedo – except for a couple of years when he talked me into doing so. Every year he did whatever he could to make Super Night a success.
"In the 1970s Sportsman's Park had very successful entertainment promotions with such stars as Chuck Berry, Ike and Tina Turner, and Blood, Sweat and Tears. This was all made possible because Tony was in the trucking business and combined two big flatbed trucks into a moveable stage with all sound equipment and other necessary items. The stage would go in front of the grandstand on the track and when the concert was over at 15 minutes to post time be wheeled off. Those concerts attracted up to 20,000 people.
"Tony's signature calling card was the $2 bill. He must have cornered the entire supply because he never stopped giving them to anyone he met for the first time. I looked this morning and I still have one in my wallet he gave me many years ago.
"A true character that I last saw at Balmoral Park not long ago. God bless you my friend."
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Tony Maurello.
(USTA)
I never met the man, but
I never met the man, but anyone that would do so much and for so long for the racing industry and it's people deserves to be recognized and remembered.Rest In Peace MR SUPER KNIGHT and my condolences to the family.