Monday, February 25, 2013

Joseph Caputo dies at 90

Joseph R. Caputo, 90, of Dennison, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013 at New Dawn Retirement Community in Dover, after a lengthy illness. Born August 27, 1922 in Dennison, he was a son of the late Rosario and Antonina (Princiotto) Caputo. 

A resident of Dennison throughout his life, Joe was a member of Immaculate Conception Church where he was baptized, confirmed and married, and he was a graduate of Dennison High School in the class of 1941. During high school, he began his lifelong love of photography. After high school, he lived and worked at Westinghouse in Canton until he left for his military service. During World War II, he proudly served his country as a Naval Photographer in the U.S. Navy from Oct. of 1942 until his honorable discharge in Dec. of 1945, having been stationed aboard the U.S.S. Card C.V.E. 1 which was awarded the Presidential Citation for Bravery. 

Upon returning home from the war, he worked at Willard's Drug Store in Dennison from 1946 to 1952. From 1952 until his retirement in the early 80's, Joe was employed by Joy Manufacturing, starting as a Project Engineer and later working in Sales and Distribution. Throughout his life, he was a well known local photographer, taking baby, wedding and prom pictures, as well as photos needed at Joy Manufacturing. Joe was a member of American Legion Post #0491, and a life member of the Dennison Knights of Columbus #576, Disabled American Veterans Chapter OH#8 and the Dennison American Italian Club. On August 10, 1946, Joe married the former Carmella Scaffidi with whom he enjoyed over 65 years of marriage until her passing on May 17, 2012.

He is survived by their son, Ross Anthony Caputo of Illinois; daughters-in-law, Barbara Caputo of New Jersey and Vicki Caputo of Illinois; grandchildren, Ryan Caputo and his wife, Angie, of Minnesota, Kristin Caputo of New Jersey, and Lindsay, Ashley and Ross "Buster" Caputo of California; great-grandchildren, Grace, Sydney, and Vincent Caputo of Minnesota; brother and sister-in-law, Anthony and Phyllis Caputo of Tennessee; and numerous other family members and friends, including cousins, Joe and Yula Zeno and loving caregivers, Tim and Marie (Mosher) Martini, Mary Jo Ann (Scaffidi) Baumberger, Denise (Caputo) Richmond, and Goldie and Kenny Host. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Richard J. Caputo; a brother and sister-in-law, Charles John and Dorothy Caputo; a sister and brother-in-law, Teresa and L. Adrian Mosher; and a brother-in-law, Ross Scaffidi.



Services for Joe, officiated by Father Anthony Lonzo, will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 26, in Immaculate Conception Church in Dennison. Interment will follow beside his beloved wife in St. Mary's Cemetery near Dennison. Family and friends are invited to call at the R.K. Lindsey Funeral Home in Dennison from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, prior to the funeral mass. Those wishing to honor Joe's memory by a charitable contribution are encouraged to do so to Claymont Public Library, 215 E. 3rd St., Uhrichsville, OH 44683.

R.K. Lindsey Funeral Home, Inc.
(740) 922-1970
www.lindseyfh.com

Published in The Times Reporter on February 25, 2013