Obituary: Donald R. Cappelli, Sr., 87, of East Haven

Information and photo via East Haven Memorial Funeral Home,

Donald R. Cappelli, Sr., 87, of East Haven, died on Monday, January 14, 2019 at the St. Raphael Campus of YNHH. For the past 60 years he has been the husband of Mary Ann Kazlauskas Cappelli. Donald was born in New Haven on November 26, 1931 to the late Dominic and Amelia Rega Cappelli.

He worked as a service manager for more than 60 years. His first 30 was with Seaboard Oil, and then in 1984, he went to work for his son’s company, Commercial Air Services, where he was employed until his retirement in 2014.

He spent most of his life in the HVAC industry and loved to pass on his vast knowledge of this profession and could fix just about anything that broke. He loved the sea and was an avid boater and fisherman. He was an honorary member and Past Commodore for the Branford Yacht Club, a past communicant of St. Casimir’s Church and current parishioner of St. Vincent dePaul Church.

He loved the times he and his family spent at Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire and also loved to grow and give away his prize Geraniums to anyone who would take them. Donald served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. He will always be remembered as a patient and kind man.

Besides his wife, he is survived by three sons, Donald (Diane) Cappelli, Jr., of North Branford, Michael (Kimberely Brockett) Cappelli of Guilford and Anthony (Anne) Cappelli of North Granby. He also is survived by 5 grandchildren, Nicholas, Kristina, Drew, Angela and Elizabeth Cappelli. He was predeceased by four brothers, Anthony, James, Salvatore and Henry Cappelli and a sister, Rose Adinolfi.

Friends and Family are invited to go to a Mass of Christian Burial in the Parish of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, St. Vincent dePaul Church, Taylor Ave., Saturday morning at 10 am. Burial will be in All Saints Cemetery. Friends may call on Friday from 4 to 7 pm.