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