Weekend services held for “Rocky” referee
A poignant Ten Count was held at the end of the church service for veteran judge Lou Filippo, who passed away on November 2 after suffering a stroke. The moving ceremony, held at a Catholic church in Downey, was a last chance to say goodbye to a longtime member of the boxing community. With each sound of the bell, attendees slowly filed out of the church, saddened at the recent loss of one of the most respected stalwarts of the sport.
Lou may always be remembered onscreen as the “Rocky” referee and announcer, but the rugged former lightweight (23-9-3, 8 KOs) was frequently seen at local fights and was well-known to those in the real fight game as well. Many who attended the Saturday service echoed this sentiment, “If you’re involved in boxing in any way, shape or form here in L.A., then you know Lou Filippo!”
Always working in the ring right up until his death at age 83, Filippo was a fixture at many Los Angeles events from his early days at the Olympic Auditorium to his longtime association with the World Boxing Hall of Fame (WBHF).
Showing their support were former boxers, fellow ring officials, boxing promoters, matchmakers, trainers, journalists, who all joined Filippo’s family and friends in honoring the well-regarded judge. Amongst those in the large crowd were promoters Dan Goossen and Ken Thompson, Hall of Fame judge Dr. James Jen Kin, veteran trainer Bennie Georgino, Olympic Auditorium publicist Don Fraser, officials Max De Luca, Gwen Adair, former fighters Mando Muñiz, and Oscar Muñiz, and numerous other contemporaries of Lou’s. At times, the memorial service also offered a bit of humor–softening the sorrow–which the no-frills Filippo certainly would’ve chuckled about himself.
Exiting the church, I noticed a line of his associates–referees and judges–all standing stoically in a row. Many were wearing their satin jackets with their judge’s logo embroidered on the chest. It was a very touching tribute to one of their compadres, Lou Filippo, who is no longer part of this close-knit fraternity. His passing leaves an obvious void for many in the local boxing family.
Out of the hundreds of attendees, there were a lot of us that had just been at a boxing show the night before where Thompson Boxing Promotions held their own Ten Count in the ring for Filippo. Since the pro fight card was held Friday night and Lou’s funeral was held early Saturday morning, a few of the church-goers were still clutching their special tribute photos honoring Filippo that were handed out at Thompson’s show. The picture shows two images of Lou: A recent photo of a tuxedo-clad Filippo posing with “Rocky” himself, Sylvester Stallone and a black-and-white vintage pic of Lou hitting the heavy bag.
On the photo, a simple message is written: “Lou Filippo, 1925-2009, You Will Be Missed.”
For those who knew Lou through boxing, they know that many of these 83 years were filled with hard work, dedication and integrity for the sport he loved.
And the sport of boxing was rocked with the news of the popular judge’s death; sentiments continue to pour in from across the country.
A viewing was held last Friday night and following the funeral and burial, a “Celebration of Life” reception took place at the Dal Rae restaurant in Pico Rivera. Filippo, a Downey resident, was a favorite customer at this establishment.
“We pride ourselves in being like family here, so everyone knew Lou and loved him,” Dal Rae’s host extraordinaire, Julie, told me after the gathering. “We become attached to people; we were all very close.”
The classic restaurant first opened in 1958 by the Smith family (brothers Ben and Bill) and Julie has been greeting patrons there for almost 24 years.
“I’ve known Lou since back then,” she recalls. “He’d come in on Saturdays and they’d be in the back for the WBHF meetings.” Filippo was a past President and Treasurer of the group. Former WBHF leaders Ken Thompson, Dr. Joe Noriega and current President Mando Muñiz were all at this tribute luncheon.
Filippo and his late wife, Pat, were also frequent diners at the venerable institution and after her passing 
in 2007, Lou would continue to enjoy meals at the restaurant, always sitting in the same booth, feeling comfortable in the warm atmosphere. A few people at the function would look and motion to that one particular booth near the front door saying, “That’s where Lou always sat” as they would dab at their teary eyes.
So it was a fitting tribute to hold his luncheon at his favorite eatery, where everyone made a toast to Lou and offered condolences to his two daughters, Debbye and Patti, two grandsons and three great-grandchildren.
Earlier in the day, at the entrance of his Catholic mass, there were some photos flanking the flower arrangements. At the Dal Rae, his daughters came by our table and mentioned that it was their parents’ engagement photo. In the portrait, the couple are in their youthful exuberance, with a grinning dark-haired Lou side by side with his future spouse.
Always a dedicated family man, Lou and Pat were married for almost 60 years. Several people have expressed that if there is any consolation at all in his passing, it is that he is now with his beloved wife, Pat.
Lou, we bid you a final farewell.
Rest in peace, you will not be forgotten.
Photos courtesy of the Lou Filippo family, Thompson Boxing Promotions and Michele Chong