Obituary for Michael Anthony Cappiello Jr.
Michael Anthony Cappiello, Jr., age 79, of Lakeville, MA, died peacefully in his home on Wednesday, January 13, 2021. Born and raised in Brockton, he was the son of the late Michael A. Cappiello Sr. and Louise A. (Celia) Cappiello.
Michael graduated from Brockton High School in 1959. At age 19, he married his sweetheart Patricia Fuller. He was ecstatic to learn that they would be bringing their first child into the world. As they began their new family, Michael also started his career with New England Telephone (now Verizon), where he remained until he retired in 2001. In 1967, Michael and Patricia moved to Middleboro MA to raise their family. They celebrated their love and devotion to one another for 60 years.
Michael most loved God, his beautiful family, his dogs (Tina and Rosie) and vacationing in Vermont. He loved participating in and watching all sports. He played baseball and tennis and founded and coached two Christian men’s softball teams. He served as Chairman of the Middleboro Tennis Association for five years, competed in league matches on a doubles team, and won a championship in the Lower A doubles division. Michael loved music, he loved playing guitar and electric piano, and he contributed his beautiful baritone voice to his church choir. He was devoted to God and Church. He served as an Elder for decades. Most recently, Michael worshipped with his family at Christ Community Church in East Taunton. Michael was the quintessential grandfather who gave all of himself to his grandchildren, enjoying any activity or event in which they participated, cheering them on, and celebrating their achievements. He could not get enough of spending time with his family, and especially making sure they were enjoying good food and drink.
Michael and Patricia loved spending time in Vermont and New Hampshire. In their younger lives, they would take their family summer vacations up north. Later, they enjoyed taking their RV for seasonal visits to Sugar Ridge in Danville VT and Gold Brook in Stowe VT. Over the past decade, Thanksgivings were spent with as much of the family as possible in Stowe VT, and Michael and Patricia visited Stowe together as often as they could.
Michael served as a leader and member of various community and religious organizations throughout his life. He loved the many Jeep and Dodge vehicles that he owned over the years.
Michael is survived by his wife, Patricia; his children, Michelle Leonard and her husband Ron of Middleboro, Andrea Leonard and her husband Daniel of Lakeville, Sheila Dellarocco and her husband Timothy of Middleboro, Michael Cappiello III and his friend Allison Maul of Taunton, and Susan Leonard of Middleboro. He was affectionately known as “Pa” to his grandchildren Sarah, Tyler, Tia, Hallie, Emily, Tony, Hannah, Christian, and Hunter, as well as their spouses and partners David, Adam, Rob, Erik, Aimee, Nic, and Dezarae; and his great grandchildren, Hazel, Myles, and Josephine. He is also survived by his brother, Jack Cappiello of N. Easton MA, his sister-in-law Deborah Cappiello of Lakeville, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Richard R. Cappiello Sr. of Lakeville.
Michael was looked to as a loving, guiding hand by so many. He was the patriarch of his family. It was said that he loved well and was well loved. He will be joyfully remembered and painfully missed.
The family will share private time together to remember Michael, per his wishes. In lieu of flowers, donations to Christ Community Church in East Taunton or The First Congregational Church of Middleboro would be appreciated.
Michael graduated from Brockton High School in 1959. At age 19, he married his sweetheart Patricia Fuller. He was ecstatic to learn that they would be bringing their first child into the world. As they began their new family, Michael also started his career with New England Telephone (now Verizon), where he remained until he retired in 2001. In 1967, Michael and Patricia moved to Middleboro MA to raise their family. They celebrated their love and devotion to one another for 60 years.
Michael most loved God, his beautiful family, his dogs (Tina and Rosie) and vacationing in Vermont. He loved participating in and watching all sports. He played baseball and tennis and founded and coached two Christian men’s softball teams. He served as Chairman of the Middleboro Tennis Association for five years, competed in league matches on a doubles team, and won a championship in the Lower A doubles division. Michael loved music, he loved playing guitar and electric piano, and he contributed his beautiful baritone voice to his church choir. He was devoted to God and Church. He served as an Elder for decades. Most recently, Michael worshipped with his family at Christ Community Church in East Taunton. Michael was the quintessential grandfather who gave all of himself to his grandchildren, enjoying any activity or event in which they participated, cheering them on, and celebrating their achievements. He could not get enough of spending time with his family, and especially making sure they were enjoying good food and drink.
Michael and Patricia loved spending time in Vermont and New Hampshire. In their younger lives, they would take their family summer vacations up north. Later, they enjoyed taking their RV for seasonal visits to Sugar Ridge in Danville VT and Gold Brook in Stowe VT. Over the past decade, Thanksgivings were spent with as much of the family as possible in Stowe VT, and Michael and Patricia visited Stowe together as often as they could.
Michael served as a leader and member of various community and religious organizations throughout his life. He loved the many Jeep and Dodge vehicles that he owned over the years.
Michael is survived by his wife, Patricia; his children, Michelle Leonard and her husband Ron of Middleboro, Andrea Leonard and her husband Daniel of Lakeville, Sheila Dellarocco and her husband Timothy of Middleboro, Michael Cappiello III and his friend Allison Maul of Taunton, and Susan Leonard of Middleboro. He was affectionately known as “Pa” to his grandchildren Sarah, Tyler, Tia, Hallie, Emily, Tony, Hannah, Christian, and Hunter, as well as their spouses and partners David, Adam, Rob, Erik, Aimee, Nic, and Dezarae; and his great grandchildren, Hazel, Myles, and Josephine. He is also survived by his brother, Jack Cappiello of N. Easton MA, his sister-in-law Deborah Cappiello of Lakeville, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Richard R. Cappiello Sr. of Lakeville.
Michael was looked to as a loving, guiding hand by so many. He was the patriarch of his family. It was said that he loved well and was well loved. He will be joyfully remembered and painfully missed.
The family will share private time together to remember Michael, per his wishes. In lieu of flowers, donations to Christ Community Church in East Taunton or The First Congregational Church of Middleboro would be appreciated.