Senate Resolution No. 2823

BY: Senator HARCKHAM

MOURNING the death of Saverio Capalbo,
distinguished citizen and devoted member of his
community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Saverio Capalbo of Carmel, New York, and Vero Beach,
Florida, died on Thursday, June 3, 2021, at the age of 97; and

WHEREAS, Saverio Capalbo, affectionately known to all as "Mike", was
born in Pawling, New York, on April 18, 1924, the son of Dominic and
Agnes (Taney) Capalbo; and

WHEREAS, Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Mike Capalbo was
drafted into the United States Army on February 19, 1943; at the
conclusion of basic training, he was deployed overseas on a troopship
called the Excelsior, heading to Ireland where further training took
place; and

WHEREAS, In June of 1944, they left on a liberty ship and landed at
Utah Beach in Normandy, France, on July 4, 1944; and

WHEREAS, Mike Capalbo's division made its way inland over the coming
months encountering several battles with German soldiers along the way;
he was hit by mortar fire overtaking Hill 88, about 15 miles from Brest,
France; and

WHEREAS, Upon recovery, Mike Capalbo received the Purple Heart and
rejoined his division and continued fighting until the end of the war;
his division left France on the troopship Walker, arriving in Newport
News, Virginia, in June of 1945; he was honorably discharged on October
22, 1945; and

WHEREAS, Mike Capalbo distinguished himself in his profession and by
his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of
his community; and

WHEREAS, Mike Capalbo worked for New York Central Railroad on the
commuter line prior to being drafted; upon his arrival home, he resumed
his conductor position with New York Central and stayed with the
railroad, even as it merged and changed, for 44 years, retiring from
what is now known as Metro North Commuter Railroad in 1986; and

WHEREAS, Mike Capalbo's commitment to excellence, and his spirit of
humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including
charitable and civic endeavors; and

WHEREAS, Mike Capalbo was a member of VFW Post 672 in Brewster, New
York, and the Knights of Columbus; in his spare time, he enjoyed reading
about American history and playing golf; and


WHEREAS, Following the death of his first wife, Norma, in 1986, Mike
Capalbo married Marie DiFalco on June 19, 1998; he and Marie enjoyed
many years traveling both internationally and domestically, playing golf
together, and spending time at their homes in Carmel and Vero Beach; and

WHEREAS, Predeceased by two of his brothers, Dominic and Victor, and
his sister, Teresa Swalagin, Mike Capalbo is survived by his wife,
Marie; his daughter, Bonita Persson, and her husband, Chris; his
brothers, Sy and Rollie; his grandchildren, Melanie Capalbo and Geoffrey
and Todd Persson; and one great grandson, Anders Persson; as well as
many nieces and nephews; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Mike Capalbo leaves behind a legacy which will long endure
the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all he
served and befriended; he will be deeply missed and truly merits the
grateful tribute of this Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Saverio "Mike" Capalbo, and to express its deepest
condolences to his family; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Saverio "Mike" Capalbo.