Obituary: George Capaci - Class of 1937

MADISON - George Capaci, age 90, passed away peacefully on Monday, Dec. 31, 2007, surrounded by loving family members. George was born Oct. 21, 1917, in the Greenbush neighborhood of Madison to Giovanni (John) and Rose (DiGregorio) Capaci. He was a dedicated older brother to his nine sisters. George graduated Central High School in 1937 and worked for the City of Madison prior to enlisting in the U.S. Army. George served from May 1941 until Oct. 1945. He was trained as a radio operator and assigned to the 296th AAA Searchlight Battalion which supported the Pacific Campaign as it moved westward through the South Pacific Islands. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Service Medal, the American Defense Service Medal and seven Service Bars. Following his military service, George worked as a field technician for the City of Madison Health Department from 1946 to his retirement in 1980. George was a long-standing member of the Italian's Workman's Club and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. George will long be remembered for his love of music. A self-taught musician, George played rhythm guitar and harmonica and performed locally through the 1950s and 1960s. His bands, at various times, included his sisters and cousins. Many will fondly recall his last band the "Harmony Guys". George loved the outdoors and enjoyed fishing, boating, hunting, and family camping, most times with a faithful black lab by his side. Survivors include his sisters, Nina (Donald) Soehnlein, Jenny (Gerald) McGuire, Delores (Robert) Annen; and his dog Princess. "Uncle Georgie" is also survived by countless nieces and nephews many of whom considered him their father or grandfather. George was preceded in death by his parents, John and Rose Capaci; a brother, Antonio; six sisters, Mary (George) Soehnlein, Josephine (Joseph) Lanman, Margaret (Lawrence) Borland, Victoria (Ronald) Esser, Ann (Richard) Sanderson, and Patricia "Rose" (Donald) Rolff; and his dogs, King I, King II and King III. The family would like to express their thanks and gratitude to all the caring staff at the St. Mary's Hospital and the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, Jan 3, 2008, at 10 a.m. at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 6021 University Ave. There will be a visitation for family and friends on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008, from 5 p.m. until 7 p. m. at the funeral home and also on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the South Madison Coalition of the Elderly, 128 Olin Ave. Suite 110, Madison, WI 53715 or to Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center, 5395 East Cheryl Pkwy. Madison, WI 53711.

Originally published in the Wisconsn State Journal on January 2, 2008