from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Longtime harness racing owner, trainer and driver Louis J. “Booty” Beltrami, 82, of Drums, Pa., died at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital on Sept. 25, 2016.

Born in Hazleton on Oct. 6, 1933, Mr. Beltrami was the last surviving child of 14 children born to Italian immigrants Salvatore and Mary Beltrami. He wore many hats during his lifetime — coal magnate, noted restaurateur, community leader, and above all else, devoted family man.

In more than 50 years in the sport of harness racing, he made friends with every person he met in the industry and owned more than 50 horses at one time, including his favorite, Hurricane Bay, a horse he claimed that Artie Bier developed into a top free for all pacer in the early 1970s.

Counted among his other favorites were Apollo Todd, the 2007 claimer of the year at Pocono Downs who reeled off nine straight wins that year; Mostly Cheer, who raced in the inaugural Meadowlands Pace; Dr Harry C., who gave him his first driving win; and Robb Ranger, Shawn Hanover, Shad Hanover, Jambo Chancy, Bret John, Hasty Reply, and Hall of Famer Sandy’s Sable, dam of Dragon’s Lair.

An avid sports fan, Mr. Beltrami was a close friend of late boxer Muhammad Ali, as well as Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon.

“His favorite quote was one that Muhammad Ali wrote for him on a picture,” his son Michael said. “Service to others is the rent we pay for our room here on earth.’ My Dad lived by that.”

That treasured photo was signed by Ali “To My Main Man,” and dated Sept. 21, 1977.

His funeral arrangements will be published in an obituary in Hazleton’s Standard-Speaker on Tuesday.