Anthony C. “Cappy” Cappadonia of Almond, New York, entered into eternal rest on Friday, February 7th, 2014, surrounded by his loving family.
Anthony was born September 10th, 1923 in Mt. Morris, New York, the son of Joseph and Louise (Teresi) Cappadonia.
He was married to Zora Zella Babcock in 1947 and had nine children: John “Rick” Cappadonia; Sue (Albert) Avery; Pamela Wright; Kathleen (Duane) VanWaes; Anthony Cappadonia, Jr.; Mark (Donna) Cappadonia; Chris (Nanette) Cappadonia; Therese (Scott) Delventhal; and Louise Ballard. Zora entered into eternal rest in 1973.
In 1977, Anthony was married to Ruth “Bebe” Howes and had two children: Joseph (Stephanie) Cappadonia, and Patrick Cappadonia. They would have been married 37 years next month.
He was educated at Mt. Morris Central schools and proudly served for three years during World War II with the U.S. Army in the Pacific Theater. He then continued his education at Ithaca College, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in music education and a Master of Science degree in music. He did additional graduate work at Syracuse University and Alfred University.
Anthony then took a position as Director of Music at the high school in Savannah, N.Y. In September of 1951, “Cappy” joined the Alfred State College family as an Associate Professor inaugurating the college’s vocal music program. During the early years, he served as both band and choral director. This included the concert choir and various small choral groups, a marching band, a stage band, and a dance band, also teaching music classes including Music Appreciation, Music Instruction and Rock Experience.
Mr. Cappadonia was recognized as one of the most talented higher education choral directors in the region. For most of his career, he was an adjudicator and staff writer for the National Association of Choral Directors, and his articles on choral technique were widely published. He was renowned for his written musical compositions, including “Alleluia, Prayer and Amen” performed at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., and served frequently as a reviewer for the prestigious Choral Journal, official publication of the American Choral Director Association.
Anthony received the Alfred State College Outstanding Service Award in 2000, and in the spring of 2012, the auditorium at Alfred was renovated and rededicated to “Mr. C.”
In 1985, he retired from full-time duties as choral director at Alfred State College but remained at the helm of the college’s choral groups in a part-time capacity until finally retiring in 2007. He continued his lifelong love of directing each spring when his choir family returned for their annual Choir Alumni Weekend, an annual event that Cappy eagerly anticipated all year long.
The Alfred State Choir Alumni Association has been a testimony to his many years of service, with approximately 350 active members, many of whom have returned to Alfred each spring to renew old friendships and sing together at the spring concert under the direction of their old taskmaster.
Mr. Cappadonia is survived by his children, his wife Bebe, his sister Louise Fagan, and his grandchildren: Michael (Georgianna) Cappadonia; Beth (Donald) McPherson; P.J. Cappadonia; Mina (Brent) Barron; Christopher Avery; Wendy Wright; Jessica (David) Hines; Jason Van Waes; Andrew Cappadonia; Anna Cappadonia; Julee (Michael) Kildonk; Anthony V. Cappadonia; Rebecca Cappadonia; Katie Cappadonia; Kelsey Delventhal; Lindsay Delventhal; Morgan Delventhal; Lauren Delventhal; Jade (Dave) Scibilia; Noah Cappadonia; Dylan Cappadonia and his great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. He was predeceased by his brothers and sisters Rose, Josephine, Joseph, Louis, Charlie, Philip, and Sam.
The family of Anthony C. “Cappy” Cappadonia will receive friends on Tuesday from 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 11:00 AM at St. Ann’s Church with burial in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Mt. Morris, NY on Thursday.
Cappy’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Anthony C. Cappadonia Endowment Fund at Alfred State College, send to Alfred State Office of Institutional Advancement, 10 Upper College Drive, Alfred, NY 14802, noting “Anthony C. Cappadonia Endowment” in the memo. Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home or simply click here.
“The Lord bless thee. The Lord keep thee. Make his face to shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace. Amen.”
In honor of Anthony’s service to his country during WWII, the American Flag at the Dagon Funeral Home will be flown at half-staff.
Bebe and all of Mr. C’s family: Sending our condolences and prayers as you mourn the loss of great man. May all your wonderful memories give you comfort and peace at this time.
Such an impressive and well-loved gentleman. My heart goes out to his entire family. I am quite certain he is proudly watching over the whole family.
Many happy memories singing with the Alfred State Choir in 1967-68. My sincere condolences to his family and the college for this loss.
He was a wonderful man and he was a wonderful man who left lots of memories. He will be greatly missed.thoughts and prayers to all of you
An Ode To ‘C’….
If it weren’t for ‘C’, I would not be the person I am today
If it weren’t for ‘C’, I wouldn’t back up the CD while driving the car to make sure I get the phrasing right as I sing along
If it weren’t for ‘C’, I wouldn’t yell at the TV when “American Idol” stars forget to lift their soft palates
If it weren’t for ‘C’, I wouldn’t have understood that performing for an audience is a privilege, not a right
If it weren’t for ‘C’, I never would have thought not to lock my knees when I stand for long periods of time
If it weren’t for ‘C’, I never would have known that smiling can make a song sound better
If it weren’t for ‘C’, I wouldn’t have met my six best friends on this planet
If it weren’t for ‘C’, those friends and I wouldn’t have been belting out barbershop tunes around campfires for the past 20 years
If it weren’t for ‘C’, those barbershop tunes would never have reached my children’s ears while singing them to sleep at night
If it weren’t for ‘C’, music might have been merely a footnote in my life, versus holding the all-encompassing role it plays today
If it weren’t for ‘C’, my world….no, our world, would be a lot less interesting.
Thank you, C, for everything. My love and great respect to you, to Bebe, to Joe and to Pat.
My heartfelt sympathies to his family, Mr. ‘C’ held a special place in the lives of many of the college choir and Alumni members. A fitting tribute to the man who closed each of his concerts, “The Lord bless thee. The Lord keep thee. Make his face to shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace. Amen.”
A wonderful person and dedicated colleague. He will be greatly missed!
To Joe Cappadonia, from Audrey Randall and your Ramoth Baptist Church family/Adult SS class in Stafford, VA:
We are thinking of you and Stephanie and Noah during this hard time of your father’s passing. I pray you are well, and that the LORD Jesus is holding you steady and close and near to Him. We are praying for you and your family, and we love you guys.
I read your father’s obituary and he sounds like he was a wonderful, talented man, with a great love for music and singing. What a blessing! I know you, and many others, will miss his presence on this earth a great deal. May Jesus comfort you and yours.
We will see you when you get back to VA!
Love, your church family and Sunday School class
via Audrey Randall
C’s Family: Prayers for the loss and for the life transitions that will take place, blessings for the remembrance and the countless lives that were touched for so many years and in so many ways… the dedication, the expectation, the expression, the passion… Our musical Conductor who was our Leader and Transmitter… of Music, the creation of sound that bring people together, the lyrics you believe in, the creation of countless memories that take you back like a smell of a spring rain, the smile that welcomes you, and the sharing of the Light…such a significant part of all of our lives that we have integrated into our own heart and hopefully the hearts of others.
Dear Cappadonia Family: Please accept my sympathy on the loss of your beloved husband, father, and grandfather. Cappy occupies such a special place in the hearts of all who knew him, from AACS kids like me who heard his wonderful choir to those decades of students who had the pleasure of singing and playing in his ensembles to the musicians and teachers in the area who shared in his joyful music-making and camaraderie. I was honored to sing in a small group he conducted just once for Good Friday several years ago and cherish the memory of that afternoon. Cappy will be sorely missed by us all, and our thoughts and hearts are with you now.
My sincere sympathies to Bebe and the Cappadonia family on your loss. Cappy was a wonderful person and mentor and will be greatly missed. I have been so blessed to have been part of the Alfred State College choir and all the memories (’67 – ’69). Even though I was not an active Alumni, my thoughts were with you. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Anthony Cappadonia was indeed a fine representative of “The Greatest Generation.” He served his country well in the Army during WWII and then provided “The Sound of Music” to Alfred State College and residents of the southern tier for over half a century. Thousands of former students will be talking for years about their love and respect for Professor Cappadonia. His family can be proud of the great legacy which he leaves behind. The maestro will be sorely missed.
I was so sorry to read of Mr. Cappadonia’s death. He was one of those people that one imagined would live forever. As an appreciator of choral music, I always enjoyed attending his concerts at Alfred State, and I enjoyed getting better acquainted when his boys were students at A-A, and Joe later became a colleague. I have a great deal of respect for his passion as a music teacher and as a father. I know that the large and loving family that he left behind will hold each other and him in their hearts forever.