Anthony Causi, a Brooklyn-born photographer who captured many of New York City’s most iconic sports moments for more than 30 years, died Sunday at North Shore Hospital in Long Island from coronavirus-related complications. He was 48.
Causi was most recently working for the New York Post, but his photos have appeared in many newspapers including amNewYork, Newsday and other sports publications. His image appears on the back of the New York Post sports section, where he was most loved by his colleagues and friends.
Causi was best known for his iconic 2006 shot of Mariano Rivera as the closer made his way out from the bullpen. He was also prolific at the Meadowlands during Jets and Giants games and at Madison Square Garden at Knicks and Rangers games.
Causi started in the photo business in 1994 as a photo messenger and quickly rose to become a photo editor at the Post. But he yearned to be part of the action, so he got himself cameras and hit the games with a ferocity and focus that few others possessed.
Post Editor-in-Chief Stephen Lynch said in the Post’s report of his death, “Anthony Causi was our colleague, our friend and a brilliant journalist. He was, quite simply, one of the best sports photographers in New York City, capturing all the major moments of the past 25 years. Soft-spoken, funny, but most of all kind — he was respected by those he photographed and admired by those with whom he worked.”
Causi grew up in Brooklyn’s Bensonhurst neighborhood and attended local schools including Lafayette High School and attended Pace University in Manhattan.
While Causi left Brooklyn for Long Island to start a family, he was still the quintessential New Yorker at heart according to Jason Zillo, the Yankees vice president of communications and media relations.
“He was a New Yorker,” Zillo told the Post. “Anthony was passionate, he grinded, he cared and was caring, and he wore his heart on his sleeve. And it was a huge heart. I don’t know how it fit on his sleeve. People gravitated towards him, but he had an edge to him and he never wanted to have the second-best photo of the day.”
He is survived by his wife, Romina, and their children John, 5, and Mia, 2, as well as his parents, Lucille and John Causi, and sisters Maria Marangelli and Dianna Marotto.
Editor’s note: A GoFundMe account has been set up to help his family. Click here to donate.
