Charles J. Capozzoli
June 19, 1931 - January 22, 2013
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Charles J. Capozzoli
June 19, 1931 - January 22, 2013
Obituary
Charlie Capozzoli, longtime resident of Dana Point’s Monarch Bay community, passed away January 22 at Mission Hospital in Laguna Beach. He was 81.
Capozzoli, his late wife Donna and their four children came to Dana Point in 1975 and quickly became active members of the community, an effort he kept up well into his later years.
A Georgetown University Graduate, Olympian, author, dedicated volunteer and philanthropist, Capozzoli was a charismatic and loving man who enjoyed civic involvement and was easy to get to know, according to friends.
“Charlie was a very good friend of mine for nearly 40 years. He loved the Lord and His people,” said fellow Dana Point resident Bob Moore. “Unfortunately in the last few years Charlie’s activity in our civic and residents’ events had been limited due to his health. But his heart and soul was always with us. He was special to everyone who knew him whether for years or minutes.”
In 1952, he became a track and field Olympian (5000m) and a U.S. champion in 1953. He was also a longtime member of U.S. travel teams, representing the country in worldwide competition.
An esteemed member of the New York Athletic Club during the 1960s, Capozzoli was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2009.
Capozzoli wrote several books, “with a desire to inspire children and adults alike to reach out, to do their best in life and to dream wondrous things,” he said in his author’s profile.
A writer of both fiction and nonfiction, one of his books, Run to Win, Love and Sacrifice, recounts his own life story as an Italian American boy growing up in New York City.
Capozzoli is survived by his sister Marion Paduano, son Joe, daughters Donna and Janine, 16 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by wife Donna and son John.
Services for Charlie Capozzoli will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 30 at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church, 33926 Calle La Primavera in Dana Point.
8 responses to Charles J. Capozzoli
Leslie Madariaga says:
January 29, 2013
Charlie was the first person I met when I moved to Oceanside. I went into the family restaurant and he made me feel right at home instantly. He was definitely a people person, his stories about his life and his family made me feel like I had known them for years just like his books. He was a very talented, loving and kind man. A true gentleman through and through. I felted honored to have known him. God Bless the Capozzoli family and thank you for sharing your father. May you find peace knowing that he was well loved by everyone who knew him.
Leslie Whittaker says:
January 29, 2013
Lit a candle in memory of Charles J. Capozzoli
Leslie whittaker says:
January 29, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with the Capozzoli family. Charles will be greatly missed by all that had the opportunity to know him. While I haven’t seen Charles since I was a teenager and a friend of Donna and John, Charles made a lasting impression on me through his kind and loving heart.
Leslie whittaker says:
January 29, 2013
Sent a gift in memory of Charles J. Capozzoli
Lawrence Lavitt says:
January 30, 2013
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Capozzoli Family. Charlie was there for me when I was going through an extreamly tuff time. When I would come into the resturant he would always pull me aside and remind me what the important things in life were. Charlie’s advice to me always came from the heart. I will miss him and I’m thankfull for the friendship I had with him.