Howard “Howie” Cappetta, 60, of North Haven, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at the Connecticut Hospice, Branford with his family by his side. He was the beloved husband of 33 years to Sandra Norton Cappetta. Howie was born in New Haven on March 13, 1958 and was the son of the late Edward F. and Margaret “Peggy” Criscuolo Cappetta. He was a graduate of Eli Whitney Technical High School, Hamden in 1976. Howie had worked as a truck driver for the former Perri’s Sausage of New Haven, Dematteo’s Fuel of North Haven and a bus driver for Greater New Haven Transit for 22 years. He was an EMR for the North Branford Fire Department Company #4 Ambulance. A 45-year volunteer career of firefighting, Howie joined the North Haven Fire Department in 1974 starting at the West Ridge Volunteer Co. #3 and later transferred stations when he moved to the Montowese District of town to the Montowese Volunteer Co. #2. Howie earned the rank of Captain which he held until 2000 then became firefighter and chauffeur; he was a lifetime member of both the Montowese and West Ridge Volunteer Fire Associations. Howie was a member and past president of the Southern Connecticut Antique Fire Apparatus Collectors, as well as CT State Fireman’s Association Irregulars. Father of Justin E. Cappetta (Fiancé Averi Schwartz) and Matthew J. Cappetta. Brother of Adela B. Cumbo and Edward “Sonny” Cappetta. Son-in-law of Doris and Nelson Gonzalez. Also survived by his dog and best bud Thomas “Tommi”, many nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as his fire department brothers and sisters.
The visiting hours will be Sunday from 3 to 6 pm at the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. Family and friends are invited to meet directly at Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity Parish at St. Therese Church, 555 Middletown Avenue, North Haven on Monday morning at 10:00 to attend a Mass of Christian burial and are also invited to attend the committal service immediately following in All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the CT Hospice, Inc., 100 Double Beach Road, Branford, CT 06405 or the Montowese Volunteer Fire Association, 282 Quinnipiac Avenue, North Haven, CT 06473 in memory of Howard J. Cappetta
My prayers and thoughts are with the family at this time of loss.
I will always love and miss you little brother. Rest easy. 👨🏼🚒💙
Adela; to you and your family I send sincere condolences for the loss of your brother Howie. I wish I could attend services to offer my support but the distance has put a big gap in many of my relationships. I hold on to what memories I can and try to stay connected.
Best wishes, Sharlene
To: The Cappetta Family:
I am so sorry for your loss. I have memories of Howie from visiting the Montowese firehouse and him plowing our driveway each winter. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Lauren
I am so sorry for your loss. Howie was a kind and generous man, the world will miss him. Your family is in my prayers.
Howie
I was a pleasure to know you as a brother firefighter and friend. I will always have fond memories of us working together at North Haven Oil. You Always had a smile on your face which never seemed to be erased.
Sorry for your family’s loss, and enjoy your next life in Heaven God Bless
Both North Haven and North Branford fire departments have lost a great man and a true friend. Howie will be sorely missed.
My deepest sincere condolences to my good friends Eddie and Adel and Howies wife and children. God rest his soul and RIP my old friend Howie “the blooper”❤️
We shall miss you cousin – Rest in Peace !
To the family I am sorry for your loss I worked with Howie for 18 years and I will miss him.
Our deepest sympathy to your entire family. All of our thoughts and prayers are with Howie and the entire Capetta Family
I am so sorry for your loss. Howie sounded like a great guy! My heart goes out to you and your sons.
Sorry for u loss .thoughts and prayers to the cappetta family ..
My favorite son in law I will miss u always.
Sandy, Matt and Justin,
My deepest condolences on the passing of Howie, your beloved husband and father.
You’ve gained an angel. Hold tight to all of the happy memories and fun times to get you through this difficult time. Prayers for you.
Sandy, Justin, Matt and Tommy,
We are so, so sorry for your loss. Howie is so desperately missed and will forever remain in our hearts and thoughts as he, as well as all of you, are our extended family. Please lean on us if you need any thing, we are here for you.
We love you all and know your faith will see you through this tragic time in your lives.
My deepest and heartfelt sympathy to ALL of you…I KNOW Howie fought a tough and corageous battle with a terrible illness…However, Our Lord had OTHER plans for him, his SERVICES were NEEDED in Haeven…May Howie rest in the Eternal Peace of Our Lord, Jesus Christ….
To my sister and nephews
We are so lost for words.
We have the best of memories. We will chariest all of them.
We will miss and love you always Howie!!
😇❤️
I work with Howie for many years at transit . always had you laughing I will miss him
I worked but how we at greater New Haven Transit he always kept you laughing I will miss him very much
Sandy, Justin, and Matt,
I just want to send my condolences. I’ll never forget all the things your family has done for me. I am so glad that I met you. Howie was a great guy. I’ll miss him but I will always stay close to you Sandy and your sons. Your my BFF. I love you. All my prayers are with all of you
So sorry for the loss of Howie. He was a good kid always with a smile.
Eddie and Adele my prayers are with you always.
Love you
To a good friend Howie who I worked with for 15 years
We had good times I will miss that but most of all I will
Miss You Howie
Sandy & Family, we are saddened by this news and send our deepest condolences at this very tough time, prayers sent, and may Rest In Peace, God Bless you all
For a kid as a freshman in Eli Whitney howie took us under his wing and made a transition into high school easy. I knew him since 1975 and always a true friend and gentleman. A great story teller and could always make me laugh. You were taken too soon from us my friend. May your soul rise to paradise in heaven and may you keep a watchful eye over your family and brother and sister firefighters. Rest In Peace my brother. Will never be forgotten. 🙏
First person that I rode with out of EMT school with North Branford Fire Department. Ate good every shift with Howie, such a great man and you will be missed!! Especially the remarks.. xoxo
I met Howie Labor Day weekend in 1985 at his stag party… He was always larger then life… I’ve considered him to be a good friend… My sincerest condolences to Sandy, Justin, Matthew and their family…
Much love to ya Howie…
Sister, words can’t express how sad it is that we lost Howie so suddenly 😢😢💔 Such a tremendous wonderful guy!! My FAVORITE brother in law, you will be missed and thought of constantly!!! I loved your sense of humor and that amazing smile you always had on your face!! You will be deeply missed!! My condolences to my nephews and my dear sister 💝♥️🙏🙏🙏
Sandy and family,
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your beloved husband and father. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this most difficult time. May he rest in eternal peace.
So very sorry for your loss, a life taken to early, our thoughts and prayers are with you now and always
Words can’t express how sorry I am!! Howie will be missed tremendously!! Such a great guy, beautiful smile,and what a sense of humor!!!!! You will be missed so much Howie 💝❤️🙏🙏🙏
Sister and nephews, so sorry for your loss ❤️💝♥️ Howie was such a wonderful guy!! He will be missed and thought of always!!!! 💝
We are so sorry for your loss. We will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers. May Howie Rest In Peace.
To my niece sandy nephews justin matt and yes tommy my heart goes out to for the loss of your husband and your dad and best friend i will for ever remember him what a guy he was the funny memories i will charish love all of you aunt Nancy
Sandy I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers.
My condolences to the cappetta family, I worked with Howie at new haven transit, one great guy and he will be missed by all
Sandy, Matt and Justin
We are so so sorry for your loss. Howie was a great guy and will be truly missed by all. Our hearts smile when we see all the beautiful comments and posts about your dad and husband.Please don’t hesitate to ask us for anything. Love and hugs to all.
Adela we are so sorry for your loss. Howie is at rest with no more plan, I am sure you and Howie’s family will miss him.Love Lou and George.
Sandy keeping you & your family in our thoughts. So very sorry 😞
Sandy, I’m so sorry for your loss.you and your family are in my prayers
Tracy
Howie and I spent a lot of time in Montowese Company #2 together. Nobody could drive or pump a firetruck better, nor was there anybody you would want with you at a fire more than Howie. I know because I was sitting in front of the engine next to him on more calls than I can remember. There were a lot of real funny stories, most of which have faded over time which is probably for the best. I will miss Howie, he was one of the real old timers, a guy you could count on, and somebody that always had your back when things got tough. Howie was a good firefighter, a good friend and a good man. He made those around him better people, and gave a lot more to North Haven than any one person should have had to. This truly is the passing of an era.
So sorry to hear about Howie’s passing. Such a young man so full of fun and life. Can’t believe it was 33 years ago we attended your wedding.
Adela and Howard Cappetta family we are so sorry for your loss. These last few weeks have been hard on everyone, his pain and suffering is over and he is at peace .He will be missed, our prayers are with you all.
Sandy and Justin My Thoughts, prayers, Love and strength to you and all your loved ones. Howie will always be in my ❤ RIP My friend
Sandy, Justin, Averi, Matt and Tommi – we are so sorry to hear of the loss of Howie. He was such a good and funny man and a good friend to the Hickcox family. He is now in heaven running the fire trucks with Rollin. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Rest in peace Howie
My condolences to the Cappetta family. I knew Howie from Greater New Haven Transit, he was a funny guy and so were the stories that he told. He Alway’s talked so lovingly about his wife and family. My thoughts and prayer’s are with the family. May he forever rest in peace. He will be missed.
My thoughts are with Howie’s entire family. I am so sorry for your loss. He will be missed by everyone.
Sandy so very sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers ❤️
This is truly a very sad time for your family Howe. Everyone loved u for sure.. I know u were not ready to go to haven and I’m very sure that is where u are!…Only people like yourself who are truly good and loving to all make it to that wonderful place..What makes your passing much more harder to take, its Christmas time I think the most beautiful time of the year and it’s the time our lord felt u suffered enough…Well I do hope your family will not make Christmas a sad time in their many Christmases to come because it is the time of year that u have passed..I’am heart broken over u passing u were a good friend, family member a husband, a wonderful Dad,Son-in-law, uncle, brother-in-law, and so on..U were truly a wonderful person Howe and u will be missed…Rest in peace Howe..There will be a day I will see u again..By for now my friend…
So sorry for the loss of your beloved brother. May you have the comfort of knowing he is at peace.
Sandy, Justin and Matthew – Helen an I offer our prayers and deepest condolences on Howie’s passing. I had the good fortune of meeting Howie at the Transit District and have terrific memories of our eating excursions to Custys, Nordic Lodge, etc. and always being entertained by his stories and outgoing personality. He was a stand up man all around and is missed by so many people. May your love and cherished memories carry you through this most difficult time. Rest easy Howie.
Sandy, We are so sorry for your lose. We all had a lot of good times around fourth of July on MacArthur Rd. with everyone. The parties and fireworks were a lot of fun.
Expressing sincere sympathy in your time of sorrow, and hoping you will find comfort in special memories. Our condolences….
Sandy and Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. We have such wonderful memories of Howard. Mark loves to tell stories of growing up with Howard.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love to all.
I am so sorry for your loss to the whole family. Sandy Howie was a funny amazing guy. Always joking. Keep the memories close this holiday. I love you all as you were my second family. Rest easy uncle Howie you will always be remembered and loved.
I am so sorry for your loss. May your fond memories shared over the years bring warmth & comfort to your hearts. May the trustworthy promises of God give you inner peace & strength to cope in the days ahead. Philippians 4:6,7,13
Sandy, Justin and Matt – So very sorry for your loss. Howie was a great man and will be your angel. Hugs.
So sorry for your loss. You and your family our in my prayers.
Dear Adele, Sonny and Family
I am so sorry for your loss of your brother, husband and father. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family at this very sad time.
Love Donna xoxo
Sandy & Family. I am sorry to hear of your loss. You are in my prayers.
I am sorry to hear of the passing of Howie. My condolences to the Cappetta family.
Howie and I fought a lot fires together during my career. He was one person always by my side.
He gave a lot to the town and will be missed
Rip
To a friend and fellow volunteer fireman may you rest in peace.
I’m sorry this news took so long to reach me in California. Howie was a great friend with an infectious laugh. The memory left in my mind was he and Lenny Geurcia sucking down the raw oysters or clams and eating cows tongues at the annual Montowese picnic. Grossest thing ever! Howie loved life, his old fire truck, and being a volunteer. Imagine Lenny, “Rosie”, Jackie, and Howie all meeting in heaven – LOL!!!
RIP
Adele, Sonny and family. I am so sorry to hear about your brother’s passing. May God bless you and comfort you at this time. I’m sure he will be missed by many. Sending my love and prayers to all of you.
Only knew Howie when he was at Montewese in the ’80s. He was a friend of my father. He taught me how to shuck clams when I was a small child and was always friendly to me. Good man, good person.
Sandy, Justin and Matt,
I worked with Howie at GNHTD. He was always there with a smile and a joke. My first memory of Howie is when he told me how when he was working for Dematteo’s and was on a delivery and had to chase the truck down the road. We will miss his wit, his humor, his laugh. We will miss him. A great man taken too soon. May he Rest Easy.
I knew Howie since the early to mid 70’s from The West Ridge Firehouse. He was always a great guy and good person. My thoughts and prayers are with all his family. There is another Angel in Heaven. God bless.
We met Howie at Connie’s Kitchen He and his buddy would meet there on weekends. He had quite the sense of humor
He was definitely one of the gang. He is missed.
God bless …………..