NEWS
DeVito dies at 35, West Point Thoroughbreds loses its ‘King’
Posted: Thursday, February 17, 2011 7:23 PM
by Frank Angst
One thing about a day at the races, there is plenty of time for stories. And loving stories will flow for years about Congie DeVito, whose passions for racing captivated many.
DeVito died Wednesday, at the age of 35.
DeVito carried the title of communications director for the successful racing syndicate West Point Thoroughbreds. Those communications went well beyond anything he ever wrote or said. While his body was slowed by Osteogenesis Imperfecta, commonly called brittle bone disease, his optimism and enthusiasm were contagious.
“We know how difficult it is to own race horses. He is the one who taught us that it’s about people and relationships,” said Terry Finley, president of West Point. “When people are comfortable and trust you, they put faith in you, and you get people to come back. He was the one who set the example for all of us.”
West Point’s first employee, DeVito worked a dozen years for the racing syndicate. He died of complications of the disease with his mother and sister at his side, friends said.
West Point is campaigning a stakes-winning three-year-old, King Congie, named after DeVito, who owned a percentage of the horse. King Congie opened the season with a victory in the Tropical Park Derby. Finley was ecstatic after the upset win.
"What a story. We named this horse after someone that's overcome the odds with over 160 broken bones, and King Congie wasn't given a chance today,” Finley said. “That's the beauty of our sport. Each horse will write its own story. While there may be only one finish line and one winner, the trip you take is priceless.”
DeVito served as the point man for West Point’s Internet site.
“We always fought about politics; he was a Democrat and I was a Republican,” Finley said. “When the Internet was first coming out, I asked him if he could do anything with this thing that Al Gore just invented. He didn’t like that but he said, ‘Yeah, as a matter of fact I could.’ And our website, I think, has been very, very solid compared to a lot of others. He’s been at the forefront of that thing for ten years.”
Former West Point Chief Marketing Officer Kerry Carlson, who now works at XpressBet.com, recalled many of the passions of the Temple University graduate in one of many tributes on Facebook.
“Congie, you were a great friend and an even greater human being,” Carlson said. “I hope you’re in a place where King Congie wins the Derby, Temple goes undefeated, Democrats win every election, and you find all the love and compassion you deserve. Rest in peace. I’ll sure miss you.”
West Point has linked to a tribute page at its site, www.westpointtb.com.
Frank Angst is senior writer for Thoroughbred Times
READER COMMENTS
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Posted by: rose, new hope, PA on February 20, 2011 at 07:57 PM
This is a sad story for sure.I hope he is resting in front of racing horses..especially his own..
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Posted by: Christine, Methuen, MA on February 18, 2011 at 04:53 PM
Awwww this is truly sad. I pray for his family and friends. Sounds like he was a tremendous man despite much personal adversity. May God grant his family the strength and courage to deal with this loss.
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