Anthony Capuano, Sr., 90, died May 1, 2023, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Alexandrina “Alice” (Archetto) Capuano. They celebrated their sixty-sixth wedding anniversary in November of 2022 at a special event with family and friends.
Born in Providence, Anthony was a son of the late Giuseppe “Joseph” and Josephine (D’Ambra) Capuano. Besides his wife, Anthony is survived by his children, Anthony Capuano, Jr. and his wife, Charlene Mary Winfield, Roberta Marie Capuano and her husband, Thomas Heffernan and Michael Joseph Capuano.
Anthony was the proud grandfather of Mary-Catherine Josephine Capuano, Caroline-Rose Alexandrina (Capuano) Hart and husband, Devlin, Vito-Joseph James Capuano, and Anthony-Robert Vincent Capuano, Michael Capuano, Alexandria Capuano, Domenic Capuano and Nicholas Capuano, and the great-grandfather of Daniel Clifton Hart. He was brother of the late Vito Capuano, Joseph Capuano, Ann Azzolina, Ida Pezzullo, Loretta Donatelli and Vincent Capuano and grandfather of the late Dana Capuano.
He proudly served his country during the Korean War as the OIC of a heavy mortar company deploying the legendary M2 4.2-Inch Mortar (Four-Deuce) throughout the many hills and valleys characteristic of Korean Peninsula. Following proudly in his brother Vito’s footsteps, who was decorated for bravery for his actions against the enemy in Europe during WWII. He was employed by General Electric before retiring in 1995.
Anthony was a devoted son, brother, brother-in-law, father, uncle, grandfather and great grandfather to his family, in addition to trustworthy confidant to his many friends. Lifelong sweethearts, he and Alice were inseparable; they could be found spending time with siblings over dinner, playing high-low-jack or visiting the Jamestown beach house. Anthony particularly enjoyed fishing with his brother-in-law Jimmy for Striped Bass in Narragansett Bay.
Alice and Anthony loved to attend the activities of their children during their childhood and adolescent years, and this behavior carried on to their many grandchildren; they had a particular interest in their many literary, music, sporting events and most importantly their education, as Anthony would always say “there isn’t anything more important than a good education, no one can ever take it away from you”.
They were always present at events, regularly seen at St. Philips School or La Salle Academy for music recitals, track meets, in addition to basketball, lacrosse and football games. He and Alice also regularly braved the cold, in the stands, at those late season championship games against Hendricken in December.
Always ready to support when a ride was needed to the soccer field, help with math homework was regularly requested, watching for deer or wild turkeys, or a ride on the back of mythical International Cub Cadet tractor, Gramps was the first to volunteer. He’d even generously let his grandchildren tag along on his long-standing date nights with Alice at Chelo’s.
Like his mother Josephine, visitors would regularly find him reading the Wall Street Journal, New York Times or the Journal at the kitchen table, never missing a single page. Anthony was an avid investor; he and his older brother Vito were always following the market, a habit Anthony kept up all his life.
There was nothing Anthony couldn’t fix, just leave it for him on his workbench. Touting “if you’re going to do something, do it right the first time”. You’d never catch him without a joke, whether it was his tried-and-true one-liners or something off the cuff.
An advocate of a solid work ethic with sincere dedication to his profession, something that was cultivated during his early years working alongside his father and siblings in the many family businesses, he like to share a reminder that “a hard day’s work never hurt anyone”.
A long-time New England sports fan, he could tell you exactly where the standings were, no matter which team you named. Just a wonderful guy who truly cared about his family and friends, he will truly be missed!
Private funeral services were held. Donations in his memory may be made to a non-profit organization founded by his grandson Vito-Joseph while attending Union College, who was selected to travel to the Engeye Health Clinic in Uganda as a “Minerva Fellow” – TAASA Health at https://taasahealth.org