Vincent John Capozzi

Vincent (Vincenzo) J. Capozzi passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family late Thursday evening, February 8th, at the age of 98. He is survived by Janell (Caldwell) his loving wife of 72 years; sons, Tom (Ann) of South Carolina, Fred (Rose), Steve (Rachel), all of Eau Claire, Tim of Elk Mound; daughter, Mary (Mike) of Minneapolis, who loved and learned so much from him. He will be missed by his grandchildren, Pat (Sarah) of New Hampshire, Tim (Jessy), Mike (Claudia), all of New York, Chrissa (Scott) of Madison, Mario (Krista) of Cadott, Ann (Adam) of Eau Claire, Tony (Jen) of Chippewa, Jessica (Eric), Joe (Kristen), all of Eau Claire, Casey and Catelyn of Elk Mound; as well has his great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, neighbors and many, many friends. He is preceded in death by his sister, Conchetta (Connie), and many in-laws in the Eau Claire community that he loved and loved him. Vince was born in Naples, Italy, in 1919, where he lived with his large Italian family until immigrating through Ellis Island to New York City at the age of four. He grew up in an Italian community surrounded by the smell of spaghetti sauce and many other wonderful dishes, which he cooked and passed down, not only to immediate family, but to many others. Vince was proud of his Italian heritage. He traveled to Italy with family and friends to visit family and friends. He attended school in Brooklyn, where he earned a scholarship to Brooklyn College. There he studied Biology. After graduation he became a New York City policeman. When World War II began he became a Medic in the Army Air Corps where he served in various locations over 4 years. After the war, he returned to serve as a policeman, retiring in 1965 after 20 years. While working, he finished his courses in Teaching. He also completed his application to become a citizen of the United States, which made him very proud. He was a man of service. Vince met Janell during the war. When he boarded the train she was on and asked to sit by her, she said yes! They talked and played checkers all the way to Chicago, and that was it. After a mostly long-distance courtship, they married in Eau Claire in 1946 and she moved with him to Brooklyn, NY where they lived for 20 years. This is where they had all their children and enjoyed good food and great times with family and friends. Vince had promised Janell that they would eventually move back to Eau Claire so she could be near her family again and he kept that promise. He worked at Presto Corporation as a buyer while waiting for a potential teaching position. After a short time, he became a teacher at North High School where he taught Biology and Earth Science for 20 years. He coached boys and girls tennis as well. Vince loved teaching his students, coaching the tennis team and became great friends with his colleagues, many of whom he had coffee with right up to his passing. A special thanks to Charlie Kwick and Jen Luther for the many visits of companionship. He loved family gatherings, where he would teach his grandkids and great-grandkids. He loved watching them as they always amazed him. He was fortunate to see many of them grow up, marry and start their own families. He loved having family around and it was not uncommon to have a table set for 20, with dad in the kitchen making the sauce and meatballs. After moving to Eau Claire, and learning there was no New York pizza available, he decided to start a restaurant. It was a little early for pizza in Eau Claire, so after the restaurant closed, he moved the pizza oven to the garage and continued making pizza for family and friends, passing down the method to his sons and daughter, some of whom opened the Italian Slice in the 80’s selling his pizza to everyone. He didn’t stop teaching after he retired. He loved reading history and sharing what he learned with everyone. If you were stumped on almost any topic, you would just ask dad. He loved watching the Brewers, the Yankees and Lawerence Welk, sitting next to Mom, holding her hand. He was a member of St. Olaf Catholic Church for over 50 years. Many thanks to the loving nurses and aides and St. Joe’s Hospice who helped us care for Dad in the last months of his life. Memorial contributions may be given to St. Olaf’s Catholic Church or to C.O.P.S. Concerns of Police Survivors at https://ww.nationalcops.org/donatepage.html, which supports the families of fallen officers. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 14th, with a friends and family remembrance time beginning at 6 p.m. at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home, 814 First Avenue, Eau Claire. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, February 15th, at St. Olaf’s Catholic Church, 3220 Monroe Street, Eau Claire. Interment will take place at Forest Hill Cemetery with Military Honors conducted by American Legion Post 53. To express online condolences, please visit www.lenmarkfh.com

Service Information

Cemetery

Forest Hill Cemetery
822 Emery Street
Eau Claire WI 54701

Visitation

Wednesday, February 14 2018
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home
814 First Ave
Eau Claire WI 54703

Mass

Thursday, February 15 2018
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

St. Olaf Catholic Church
3220 Monroe St
Eau Claire WI 54703